Vladimir Putin stated that there is no need for additional massive strikes on Ukraine, days after the heaviest bombardment of the country since the invasion began.
He stated most designated targets of the strikes had been hit, adding that it was not his aim to destroy Ukraine.
Moscow’s goal of mobilizing 300,000 men would be met within two weeks, he said.
Now Russian forces are mostly in retreat and Ukraine advances, almost eight months since the invasion.
Speaking to journalists after a summit with regional leaders in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, the Russian leader said that the recent strikes had destroyed 22 out of the 29 targets in Ukraine set by the military and that „they are getting” the remaining seven.
„There’s no need for massive strikes. We now have other tasks”, he said.
On Monday, Russia bombarded cities across Ukraine with a wave of strikes, in what Putin claimed was retaliation for a blast damaging a key bridge between Russia and annexed Crimea.
Dozens of people were killed and injured in the strikes, which also damaged infrastructure. Central areas of Kyiv were targeted for the first time since the invasion.
Putin stated it was not Russia’s intention to destroy Ukraine, but that he did not regret the invasion.
„What is happening today is not pleasant, to put things mildly”, he said. „But all the same, we would have been in the same situation, only the conditions would have been worse for us. So we’re doing everything correctly and at the right time.”
President Putin said 220,000 men had been mobilized, of whom 16,000 were already in combat. He saw no need for additional mobilization, he added.
However, the call-up has caused widespread alarm in Russia, with tens of thousands of men fleeing to neighbouring countries.
Meanwhile, the BBC Russian service says it has identified more than 7,500 Russian service personnel who have died in the Ukraine war. The actual level of casualties is believed to be much higher, and there are reports that some recently mobilized troops have been killed.
Addressing relations with other former Soviet countries, Mr Putin insisted that the war had not affected their „character and depth”. He said it was natural for some countries to be concerned but he was keeping them informed in detail.
Analysts state Russia’s influence in the region is declining, with leaders like Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev trying to distance themselves from Putin in light of the war.
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