Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited his country’s “Center” group troops who are involved in the fighting in Ukraine on Saturday, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, in a trip that comes on the second anniversary of Moscow’s invasion.
Shoigu “listened to reports from the commander of the Center group and staff officers on the current situation, the nature of the enemy’s actions and how Russian troops are performing combat tasks in the operational area,” the defense ministry said.
Russian Colonel-General Andrei Mordvichev, commander of the “Center” group of troops, reported to Shoigu that during the operation to “liberate” Avdiivka, Ukrainian forces had been pushed back more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), the ministry said.
Shoigu also noted the role of drones in the fighting. Full-time units tasked with drone operations have been created, Mordvichev reportedly told Shoigu.