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A top Russian military official said Wednesday that his nation has "deliberately" slowed aggression against Ukrainian forces due to what he claims is the avoidance of additional civilian casualties in the war that began with Russia's invasion on February 24.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made the comments in front of other defense ministers during a meeting of the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Uzbekistan, The Moscow Times reported, with Shoigu adding that Russia strictly observes "the norms of humanitarian law."
His words come as Russian forces have encountered stronger-than-expected response from Ukrainian fighters, lacking major military victories since overtaking the cities of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk in early summer.
"Of course this slows down the pace of the offensive," Shoigu said.
Russian casualties—injuries and deaths—combined have been estimated to be between 70,000 and 80,000, according to the Pentagon.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded 13,477 civilian casualties in Ukraine—5,587 deaths and 7,890 injured—through August 21.
The number includes 7,620 casualties (3,317 killed, 4,303 injured) in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and 1,475 (302 killed, 1,173 injured) in Russian-controlled territory containing their armed forces and affiliated armed groups.
"Most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects, including shelling from heavy artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, missiles and air strikes," OHCHR reported, adding that actual figures are likely "considerably higher."
On Tuesday, Konstantin Dolgov, a former Russian commissioner for human rights, defended his country's invasion of Ukraine, claiming it was Russia that was providing security for Ukraine, Europe and the world.
The New Voice of Ukraine reported that Shoigu falsely repeated that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was "necessary" due to "real threats from Kyiv to the residents of Donbas" while not mentioning the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its effect the past eight years on Donbas residents.
Shoigu also alleged that Ukraine has refused to comply with the Minsk agreements, NHK reported, posing a threat to residents in the Donbas region and Russia.
Russia and Ukraine finalized agreements in the Belarusian capital of Minsk in 2015 intended to alleviate physical aggression in the eastern region of Ukraine, including measures such as a ceasefire, a release of war prisoners, eliminating heavy weaponry on the frontlines, and restoring the border to Ukraine while approving its self-governance in portions of Donbas.
Just a couple days prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Minsk agreements "do not exist," adding that Russia has no incentive to implement them if his nation recognizes the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Shoigu recently touted partnerships with "friendly states" like Burundi, the Republic of Guinea, Cameroon, Mali, Sudan, Uganda, Chad, Ethiopia and the Republic of South Africa when asked if Russia is isolating itself on a global level.
He also claimed that Russia is protecting the world from a Ukrainian nuclear attack, not the other way around.
"From a military viewpoint, there is no need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine to achieve our goals," Shoigu said. "The main mission of the Russian nuclear forces is providing a deterrent against a nuclear attack."
Newsweek reached out to Shoigu's office for comment.
About the writer
Nick Mordowanec is a Newsweek investigative reporter based in Michigan. His focus includes U.S. and international politics and policies, immigration, ... Read more