Russian President Vladimir Putin, dressed in military fatigues, listened to General Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russia’s General Staff, who claimed that Kyiv is attempting to convince its Western allies of significant battlefield gains despite lacking success on the ground. Putin responded by urging continued analysis of each Western nation's role in the conflict, which has diverged from Moscow's original plans to "demilitarise" Ukraine in 2022.

In a video broadcast released ahead of the United States Independence Day weekend, Putin stated, "We’ll need this analysis for the possible making of responsible decisions in the future."

Despite Russia's assertions, the Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank, reports that Moscow's territorial gains between January and July 2026 amounted to only 97 square kilometers (37.4 square miles), reflecting the impact of Ukraine's counteroffensive and shifting front lines.

Amid ongoing Ukrainian strikes on occupied territories and mainland Russia, coupled with fuel shortages and economic difficulties, the Kremlin is preparing the Russian public for a potential wider mobilisation following the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 18-20.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the conflict as a war rather than a special military operation, citing the involvement of Western capitals including Berlin, Paris, The Hague, Oslo, and Washington behind Kyiv.

Sources