Let's see how it ends. In Samarkand, Putin comments on counteroffensive of Ukrainian Armed Forces

This was reported by the propaganda agency TASS.

Putin answered journalists' questions during the final press conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand.

"We see activity there and there (at the fronts. - Ed.). Well, the Kyiv authorities announced that they have started and are conducting an active counteroffensive operation. Well, let's see how it ends."

Putin also said that Russia "responds quite discreetly" to Ukraine. "But until a certain time. Most recently, the Russian armed forces have struck several sensitive strikes. We will assume that these are pre-emptive strikes... Offensive operations in the Donbas itself do not stop, they proceed at a slow pace, but consistently, gradually, the Russian army occupies new and new territories,".

According to the President of the Russian Federation, "the plan (of the war in Ukraine. - Ed.) is not subject to adjustment. The General Staff makes operational decisions during the operation. Something is considered key, the main goal - and the main goal is the liberation of the entire territory of Donbas, this work continues, despite  attempts of a counteroffensive by the Ukrainian army".