Afghanistan, June 13 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would increase its retaliatory attacks in Ukraine, signaling a continued military escalation as the war enters its fifth year.
Speaking at the Kremlin on Friday during events marking Russia Day and celebrations honoring participants in what Moscow calls its "special military operation," Putin said Russian forces would continue pressing their campaign and strengthen their response to attacks by Ukraine.
According to Russia's state-run TASS news agency, Putin said more than 700,000 Russian troops are currently deployed in the combat zone and that Russian forces are continuing to advance, although not as rapidly as military planners would prefer.
The Russian leader praised...