Putin warns Russia-Ukraine war may continue 'until last Ukrainian is left standing'

In latest warning to West and Ukraine, Russian President Vlimir Putin on Thursday said that Moscow-Kyiv war might continue until “last Ukrainian is left standing”. During a meeting with hes of State Duma party factions which aired on state media television Russia-24, Putin straightforwardly challenged West. He said, “Today we hear that y want to defeat us on battlefield. Well, what can I say? Let m try.”

"We have continuously heard that West is rey to fight with us until last Ukrainian is left standing. This is a tragedy for Ukrainian people. However, it seems like everything is going towards this," he said. 

Kremlin leer even blamed West for “encouraging and justifying genocide against people in Donbas.” Amid war, Putin noted that Moscow is not refusing any peace negotiations but warned ones who are refusing talks. He said that it will be “more difficult” to negotiate with Russia as war continues furr. 

"We are not refusing peace negotiations. But those who do refuse should know that furr [ conflict continues], more difficult it will be for m to negotiate with us," Putin said. 

It is to mention here that Russia-Ukraine war has now entered day 135 and after Russian forces failed to take over Ukrainian capital, Putin’s army has shifted its focus on Donbas region. In a recent intelligence update, UK’s Ministry of Defence on July 6 h also predicted that Russian troops from eastern and western groups are likely around 16 kilometres north of Ukrainian city of Sloviansk, in Donetsk region. 

Ever since Luhansk was captured by Russian army, Sloviansk has been gearing up for an incoming battle with Moscow’s forces vancing more into Donetsk region. “With town also under threat from central and sourn groups of forces, re is a realistic possibility that battle for Sloviansk will be next key contest in struggle for Donbas,” ministry said on July 6.

Putin warns Russia not started campaign in Ukraine ‘in earnest’

Moreover, apart from saying that Russia-Ukraine war would drag on until “last Ukrainian is left standing”, Kremlin leer wanted West to know that Moscow has not even started its military operation in Ukraine “in earnest”. 

He told senior lawmakers, “Everyone should know that we have not started in earnest yet”. However, as Russian forces continue to ramp up attacks on Sloviansk, y left a trail of destruction on Thursday. Media reports have stated that Russian troops killed at least seven civilians and wounded several ors in 24 hours, said Donetsk region's he Pavlo Kyrylenko on Thursday.

Image: AP