Ukrainian civilians protest as Russians take city north of Kyiv

Russia’s Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu held an official assembly on Saturday, state media reported, amid hypothesis over his whereabouts and well being throughout the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

State information company Tass mentioned Shoigu met with the nation’s Ministry of Finance to debate sustaining the availability of superior weapons for the battle.

These objects embody “robotic complexes, data assist and digital warfare gear, and naturally, logistics, because it has at all times been the case,” Shoigu mentioned, in line with TASS.

“With the challenges we face right now, we’re shifting in line with plan in implementing the state protection procurement contract,” Shoigu mentioned. “Contemplating the truth that the federal government funding for this yr is 15% greater than for the earlier yr, we should in fact check out what wants specific consideration when fulfilling the state protection procurement contract.”

Shoigu reportedly claimed that regardless of sanctions on Russia, the extent of execution of state contracts is at 85%. Outdoors observers have expressed skepticism that Russia can proceed to supply high-tech weaponry amid extreme worldwide sanctions, notably if procurement of some know-how by Russia is restricted.

As well as, Shoigu spoke about authorized modifications that might assure authorities assist to Russian troops who’ve fought in Ukraine, TASS reported.

“In accordance with these amendments, individuals of the particular army operation in Ukraine purchase the standing of fight veterans. Assist can even embody kinfolk of this class of army service members,” he mentioned. 

In accordance with a separate report from TASS, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the regulation on Saturday. It had been “unanimously” adopted by the State Duma and authorized by the Federation Council on Wednesday.

The brand new regulation implies that those that have taken half in Russia’s army operations in Ukraine, can have entry to the “social safety system utilized by veterans of Afghanistan, Syria, and different scorching spots,” which incorporates further funds from the state, tax advantages and medical care, the Russian state media outlet reported.

The larger image: Hypothesis has been mounting over Shoigu’s whereabouts in current days, because the Protection Minister has saved a low profile in the previous few weeks regardless of having a number one position in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to touch upon media reviews and hypothesis that Shoigu had been experiencing well being issues.

“The protection minister has loads on his plate in the meanwhile,” he mentioned when CNN requested about Shoigu’s reported absence. “The particular army operation is happening. Naturally, now is just not precisely the time for media exercise, that is fairly comprehensible.”

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