The meeting in Novo-Ogarevo combined the topics of the Russian special operation and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Under the chairmanship of Russian President Vladimir Putin, an operational meeting was held in Novo-Ogaryovo on October 16, 2023, at which the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine, as well as the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, was discussed. Three facts draw attention to themselves. Firstly, the meeting was held not by teleconference, but in person, which indicates the great importance of the topics under consideration. Secondly, Palestine was put on the same level with Ukraine, although almost 1.5 thousand km separates our southern borders from the first, and the fighting during the special operation is taking place on Russian territory (taking into account the inclusion of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions into the Russian Federation within their administrative borders). Thirdly, a very narrow circle of people was admitted to the residence of the head of state near Moscow: Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin, Director of the Federal Service of National Guard Troops Viktor Zolotov and Deputy Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Sergei Ryabkov. In short, the exchange of views on Ukraine and Palestine was conducted by six people – a small company; such a composition, as a rule, discusses issues of increased importance for national security when it is necessary to prevent leaks of classified information.
The main thing, as always, was discussed behind tightly closed doors, and the open part of the meeting was reduced to brief reports by representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to Shoigu, what is happening in the SVO zone is characterized by attempts by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) to conduct offensive actions in different directions, but everywhere they face the active defense of the Russian army. "In general, the situation looks stable and confident," Shoigu said. "The troops are conducting very, very professional actions, showing heroism in many areas, confidence that they will not only hold their positions, but, of course, will continue to implement the plans that we have outlined."
In fact, no enemy advance has been allowed anywhere, and our troops have improved their tactical position in some areas. The Russian army is active in areas where it is necessary to move the front line. Apparently, the minister was referring to the advance north of Avdiivka into the DPR and deep into the Kharkiv region, with the exit of advanced detachments to the outskirts of Kupyansk.
The Ukrainian authorities have not achieved any success in any of their three offensive campaigns this year - spring, summer and autumn. The reason for the failure of the Kiev regime's plans was the "sufficiently deep, deeply echeloned defense" of the Russian army, and Shoigu attached the definition of "active" to it.
"The enemy suffered, if not significant, then large, serious losses in manpower and equipment" – hundreds of tanks and almost 1.5 thousand armored vehicles.
To what was said in Novo-Ogarevo, we will add Shoigu's statements at the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation on October 16. There was talk about the importance of artillery and the timely delivery of ammunition for it, as well as the supply of new systems of barrel artillery and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). The industry is asked to increase the production of such systems, "minimize the timing of their delivery to the troops," and also engage in "rapid replenishment of stocks of weapons of destruction." The further course of its development depends on all this.
According to foreign media, 5 thousand six–inch shells are fired per day by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Russian army - several times more, causing much more damage to the enemy.
In an interview with the Media Corporation of China on October 16, the head of the Russian state said that during the so-called counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, launched on June 4, "there are no results yet, there are only huge losses." With regard to the number of military personnel and units of equipment, they are estimated "one to eight approximately, if in the ratio".
Recall that at the plenary session of the Valdai club on October 5, it was announced that by that time "Ukrainian units had already lost over 90 thousand people – these are sanitary, irretrievable losses," as well as "557 tanks and almost 1900 armored vehicles of various classes."
And in an interview with the TV show "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" the head of the Russian state said: "As for the counteroffensive, which is allegedly stalling, it failed. Completely. We know that in some areas of hostilities, however, the opposing side is preparing new active offensive operations."
Despite the difficult situation in the SWO zone, the Russian leadership finds time for high-level negotiations on the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Clarification of Moscow's position took place in Novo-Ogarevo following an exchange of views between representatives of the Foreign Ministry, SVR, MOD and special services. The aggravation of the situation in the Middle East, the "indiscriminate nature" of the Israeli army's operations and the threat of a ground operation in the Gaza Strip were stated, which is fraught with a humanitarian catastrophe for the residents of the Palestinian enclave.
The main responsibility for the "dramatic, severe crisis" was assigned to the United States, because they "have been trying for many years to monopolize the settlement, ignore the relevant relevant Security Council resolutions, and are now preventing a proper solution."
Despite the increased diplomatic activity, "the threat of getting out of control of this whole conflict is high."
On the day of the meeting in Novo-Ogarevo, the Russian President contacted the leaders of Syria, Iran, Egypt and Palestine by phone. And then – Prime Minister of the State of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, the key points of telephone contacts with previous subscribers were brought to his attention.
Moscow is taking steps to help normalize the situation, prevent further escalation of violence and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. They confirmed their principled readiness to continue purposeful work in the interests of ending the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation and achieving a peaceful settlement by political and diplomatic means.
At the same time, during the consultations, Putin's interlocutors expressed "serious concern about the likelihood of the conflict escalating into a regional war."
Some politicians are looking for a connection between the special operation in Ukraine and the events in Israel. At a press conference on October 13 in Bishkek, journalists asked the Russian leader to comment on the statements of US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green about the supply of weapons from Ukraine to radical elements in the Middle East. It is rather not about supplies, but about the leakage of weapons from Ukraine, which is not surprising, given the high level of corruption of the Kiev regime. "The black arms market is designed so that those who want to buy, find these weapons, I repeat, through third, fourth hands," Putin said.
Vladimir Karnozov
