Russia Claims Initiative on All Fronts After Taking Severesk

The capture of the city of Severesk in the Donetsk People's Republic brings the removal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Donbas closer and opens the way to restoring peaceful life there, Vladimir Putin said during a briefing on the situation in the zone of the special military operation.

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Russian Army fighters

The president added that securing control over Severesk and the successes achieved on this axis advance preparations for a new offensive — an operation in whose success he expressed no doubt.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Putin received reports confirming the complete transfer of Severesk under Russian control. TASS noted that the head of state conducted a meeting in the Kremlin focused on developments along the front line.

Peskov emphasized that the president was satisfied with the reports on the actions of Russian forces.

On December 1, Putin stated that Russian troops hold the initiative along the entire line of contact. He stressed that the gains made in Krasnoarmeysk (Ukrainian name: Pokrovsk) would ensure steady progress toward achieving all objectives set at the start of the operation.

The president instructed the armed forces to continue carrying out their tasks strictly in accordance with the plan of the special military operation. He thanked all soldiers and commanders for their work.

Earlier, Putin declared that the operation would be brought to its logical conclusion and noted that the territories returned under Russian control are significant and have always been part of Russia.