MOSCOW, January 9. /TASS/. Russia maintains strategic initiative in Ukraine and will focus on all-round provisioning of its forces, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at a conference call with top military brass. He stressed Russia would keep its nuclear triad at a high combat readiness level, develop drone production, introduce new weapons and increase the capabilities of the satellite grouping.

Ukraine operation

In 2023, Ukraine lost over 215,000 troops and 28,000 pieces of equipment. The Kiev regime follows US instructions and does not spare its men on the battlefield. "Despite the exhaustion of the human resource and the absence of results on the battlefield, the US cold-bloodedly tries to implement its ambitions for global leadership at the expense of Ukrainian lives. Upon the instructions of western sponsors, the Kiev regime continues to send its soldiers to slaughter and looks for every possibility to replenish the Ukrainian army. Naturally, it will not change the situation on the line of contact, but will only drag the military conflict," the minister said.

We retain the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact. We will continue to consistently achieve the goals of the special military operation," Shoigu said.

New weapons

A key 2024 task is to maintain the nuclear triad at the highest combat readiness level, the minister said.

"We will also focus our efforts on the comprehensive provisioning of troops participating in the special military operation. We will continue to equip the Army and the Navy with the latest cutting-edge weapons, including those based on artificial intelligence technologies and new physical principles," he said.

"In particular, we will launch the serial production of unmanned aerial vehicles, from ultra-small drones to heavy attack ones," he specified.

"Our immediate plans include improving communications systems, raising the efficiency of the use of the latest means of reconnaissance, target acquisition and counter-battery warfare and boosting the capabilities of our air defense systems and fleet of satellites," Shoigu said.

Training

The Russian military continues studying Ukrainian combat experience and engaging instructors with a combat record. "We shall keep streamlining the forms and methods of the engagement of forces, updating the provisions of combat documents, charters and instructions," Shoigu said.

Social guarantees

All participants in the special military operation and their family members should enjoy equal social guarantees. "It refers to the status of a war veteran, the payment of envisaged bonuses, housing acquisition and medical services, including rehabilitation and spa treatment," the minister said.