AssetID: 55162171
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Putin Claims Major Battlefield Gains as Russia Marks His 73rd Birthday
Caption: Putin Claims Major Battlefield Gains as Russia Marks His 73rd Birthday. Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that Russian forces have captured nearly 5,000 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory so far in 2025, roughly 1% of Ukraine's total land area — bringing Moscow's overall control to about 20%.. Speaking at a military meeting on his 73rd birthday, Putin said Russian troops now "fully hold the strategic initiative" and claimed Ukrainian forces are retreating along the front. Russia's top commander, Valery Gerasimov, said Moscow's forces are advancing "in practically all directions” with the fiercest battles around Pokrovsk, Siversk, and Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region. Fighting is also intensifying in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv. Ukraine has pushed back on those claims, saying Russian offensives have failed to capture any major cities this year and that Kyiv has made gains near Dobropillia and in Sumy. Putin reaffirmed that Russia's war aims — "demilitarisation and denazification" — remain unchanged as the conflict enters its fourth year. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current affairs & Politics,Putin,Russia,Battlefield gains,Ukraine,5,000 square kilometres,Strategic initiative,Donetsk,Pokrovsk,Siversk,Kostyantynivka,Zaporizhzhia,Dnipropetrovsk,Sumy,Kharkiv,Dobropillia,Demilitarisation,Denazification,Fourth year of war
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