MOSCOW | December 20, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russian forces are continuing to advance on the battlefield in Ukraine and will take control of additional territory, expressing confidence that the Kremlin’s military objectives will be achieved.
Speaking during his annual “Direct Line” online question-and-answer session, Putin claimed that Russia’s military has seized the strategic initiative and is steadily gaining ground. He said Moscow expects further territorial gains by the end of the year, citing what he described as the growing advantage of Russia’s larger and better-equipped armed forces.
Putin asserted that Ukrainian troops are making unsuccessful attempts to regain territory in parts of the Donetsk People’s Republic, particularly near Krasnoarmeysk, and are suffering heavy losses in the process.
Claims of Advancing Frontlines
During the session, Putin said Russian forces expect to establish control over Krasny Liman and later push toward Slavyansk. He added that Russian troops are actively operating south of Seversk, where fighting is ongoing inside the city.
“Our forces have already entered the city, and combat operations continue there,” Putin said. “I am confident that Krasny Liman will be liberated very soon.”
Annual ‘Direct Line’ Session
The online Q&A session began at 2:30 PM IST and marked Putin’s 22nd year in power as Russia’s president. The event serves as a platform for the Russian leader to outline his assessment of the year’s developments, including the war in Ukraine and domestic policy priorities.
The Kremlin said Putin also took questions from foreign media outlets that Moscow does not consider “friendly,” signaling an attempt to project openness despite strained relations with the West.
According to the Kremlin, more than 2.4 million questions were submitted to specially set up call centers in the two weeks leading up to the event. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said most questions focused on social issues and government subsidies, and that all submissions were categorized by topic.
Peskov added that Putin had been reviewing the questions late into the night in the days before the session. Last year’s Direct Line event lasted more than four hours, reflecting its significance in Russia’s political calendar.
The statements come as the war in Ukraine continues with no immediate prospects for a negotiated settlement, while Moscow maintains that its military campaign is progressing according to plan.
