Russian victory in Ukraine is ‘unavoidable’: Putin
Moscow, Jan 18 (EFE).- Russia’s victory in Ukraine is “unavoidable”, Russian president Vladimir Putin said Wednesday, in a speech to workers of a weapons manufacturing plant.
“From the standpoint of the end result and victory, which is unavoidable, there are several things that have not gone anywhere and that lie at the foundation of our victory,” Putin said at the Obukhov plant, which is part of Russian missile manufacturer Almaz-Antey.
“It is the unity and solidarity of the Russian people, the bravery and heroism of our fighters in the special military operation and on the frontline, and, of course, the operation of the military-industrial complex, of enterprises such as yours,” he added.
During his visit to St. Petersburg to mark the 80th anniversary of breaking the siege of Leningrad in World War II, the Russian leader told the factory workers that winning over Ukraine was “ensured.”
“I have no doubts about that,” he stressed.
Putin went on to say that his country’s defense industry has started to become self-sufficient.
“Of course, this does not mean that we can produce everything, 100 percent, but we will achieve the levels of production that we need,” he said, pointing out that Russia was producing three times more air defense missiles per year than the US.
“Our defense industry in general is annually producing air defense missiles of various purposes in approximately the same numbers as all military-industrial plants of the world do. Our production is comparable with global production,” Putin insisted.
Workers at the plant told Putin that companies in the defense industry are working multiple shifts due to increased demand for defense equipment in light of the Russian military operation in Ukraine.
In return, the Russian president promised support to the industry by providing money to solve current financial problems and to expand production, while also complaining that some “foreign” clients have not paid for the military equipment Russia has delivered.EFE
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