West does not want hostilities on Russian territory 

He expressed this opinion during the Espresso TV channel broadcast.

"Western intelligence has enough information about the current situation on the front line. We also have a lot of data on Russian plans and their further actions; we fight in this war, after all. That's why our officials truly know what it takes for our army to liberate the occupied territories of Ukraine," Yelchenko explained.

The diplomat believes that some Western countries fear hostilities happening on the territory of Russia. 

"Restrictions on arming Ukraine may change over time. Today, in my opinion, the only thing that hinders arming Ukraine is the Western concern that the Ukrainian army will strike on the territory of Russia. They do not talk about this explicitly, but the Western allies do not want hostilities on the territory of the Russian Federation. However, it should be noted that it is out of the question anyway. Ukraine is not going to conduct an offensive on the territory of Russia," he added.

• On February 1, the General Staff reported that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia had lost at least 128 420 soldiers, 3 209 tanks, and 458 MLRS in Ukraine.