Lauren C. Moye, FISM News

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Over thirty-three weeks ago, Russia invaded Ukraine in a so-called “special military operation” after weeks of staging troops along the country’s border. The resulting damage to Ukraine and loss of life have been devastating. Yet Russian President Vladimir Putin defended his decision yesterday as “correct and timely.”

“What is happening today is unpleasant, to put it mildly,” Putin said to reporters in Kazakhstan’s capital after attending a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States. “But we would have had all this a little later, only under worse conditions for us, that’s all. So my actions are correct and timely.”

In May, Putin said the invasion of Ukraine was necessary because Western nations and Ukraine had been preparing to invade Russia, specifically the Crimean peninsula that was illegally annexed in 2014. The majority of the international community does not concede that Crimea belongs to Russia.

Putin added that “he did not set out to destroy Ukraine.” Accordingly, he said there was no need for massive new strikes like the missile operation carried out this past week.

Since the invasion, Russia has faced stiff opposition from Ukrainian troops whose effectiveness was boosted by military aid packages including advanced weapons. An initial lightning advance on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv failed. Since then, Russia has predominantly concentrated its efforts in the eastern and southern regions of the nation.

Putin announces Russian military draft should end “in about two weeks”

Three weeks ago Ukraine launched a counteroffensive so potent that Putin was pressured to find a way to shift things in Russia’s favor once more. They began a military draft in their country to increase troop numbers by 300,000 to help hold the 684-mile-long frontline.

On Friday, Putin said, “This work is coming to an end. I think that in about two weeks all the mobilization activities will be finished.”

The president reported that 222,000 reservists had been mobilized since his declaration. Of these, he said that 33,000 have joined military units and another 16,000 have been deployed.

The draft order has been met with resistance from Russian men. Ethnic minorities and rural areas have complained of disproportionate drafting.

Thousands of Russian men have fled the country rather than be conscripted. Still others, in a public rebuke, have protested the draft despite the risk of imprisonment under Russia’s treason laws.

Some suspect that Putin’s two-week statement was a ploy to boost morale within his country.

“Do not believe Putin about ‘two weeks.’ Mobilization can only be canceled by his decree. No decree – no cancellation,” wrote attorney Vyacheslav Gimadi, who represents the imprisoned opposition leader of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, on Facebook.

Kyiv declares Ukraine will retake territory

Putin also said yesterday that Russia was prepared for peace talks. However, Ukraine rejected this possibility weeks ago after Russia declared the annexation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson after a referendum that Kyiv and global leaders declared “a sham.”

Kyiv vowed once again to reclaim all territory currently occupied by Russia yesterday.

“By defeating this enemy, we will respond to all enemies who encroached on Ukraine – on those who lived, who live, and who will live on our land,” declared Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelensky during the nation’s Defenders Day holiday.

He continued his video address by saying, “This will be a victory for all our people.”

Fresh aid for Ukraine

As part of a new $725 million security assistance package, the U.S. will send fresh munitions and military vehicles.

This includes high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARMS) and precision artillery as well as medical supplies, the Defense Department said.

In all, the U.S. has provided more than $17.5 billion in aid to Ukraine since Feb. 24.

Ukraine also anticipates the provision of anti-aircraft systems by the U.S. and Germany later this month to defend against the devastating missile strikes and kamikaze drones Russia uses.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia announced the contribution of $400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine yesterday, according to their state news agency SPA.