Russia intends to continue offensive actions against Ukraine, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov has stated.

Source: Gerasimov, as quoted by the Russian Ministry of Defence

Quote:"The fulfilment of the tasks of the special military operation [as Russia calls its war against Ukraine – ed.] by the Joint Grouping of Forces will continue through offensive actions. Today we will define the tasks for our troops in the autumn period."

Details: Gerasimov claimed that "deliberate large-scale fire strikes continue", allegedly "exclusively against military facilities and Ukraine’s defence industrial base". 

He said that priority is being given to striking companies that produce missile systems and long-range UAVs.

He also stated that "strategic initiative is fully in the hands of Russian forces".

Background: 

• On 15 August, US President Donald Trump met Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss possible ways of ending the war. Russia has declared that it would like the war to end through diplomatic means.
• On 29 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that after the meeting with the Russian leader in Alaska, the US president expressed willingness to wait "a couple of weeks" for agreement on a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy – and that period is soon to expire.

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