UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 660 - DECEMBER 14, 2023

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, appeared remarkably confident when he publicly spoke on December 14 in a combination of his annual press conference and the "Direct Line" forum about Russia's war against Ukraine, without clearly stating how he envisions the end of the invasion he started on February 24, 2022.

The "Direct Line" is an annual, elaborately staged forum where Putin answers pre-selected questions from the Russian public. In 2022, Putin skipped the "Direct Line" for the first time since 2012. Routine forgoing discussions of the war in high-profile events in 2022 suggests he was unsure of his ability to shape the Russian information space on this topic. Putin used the December 14, 2023 event to discuss his goals in Ukraine, specific operational and tactical situations on the front lines, and specific concerns of Russian military personnel and volunteers.

Putin's willingness to dedicate a significant portion of the event to the war in Ukraine indicates increased confidence in his ability to address the Russian public on this issue, hinting at his personal confidence in Russia's prospects in Ukraine following relatively successful Russian defensive operations in the western Zaporizhzhya Oblast and perceived wavering Western support for Ukraine. Putin did not offer a new approach to the war, did not describe how Russia intends to achieve victory in Ukraine, and left open what a Russian victory would look like. Many of Putin's statements on December 14 echoed standard comments on the Russian war in Ukraine, similar to those he made almost a year ago in a speech to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The full Russian Offensive Update 660 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR