Putin hails Russia’s military performance in Ukraine and vows to achieve goals

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed his military has seized the initiative on the battlefield in Ukraine after repelling Kyiv’s counteroffensive and is well positioned to achieve Moscow’s goals (Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed his military has seized the initiative on the battlefield in Ukraine after repelling Kyiv’s counteroffensive and is well positioned to achieve Moscow’s goals.

His speech at a meeting with top military brass on Tuesday came a day after he presented documents to Russia’s Central Election Commission to seek reelection in the March presidential vote that he is all but certain to win.