Hommam Al Nassim 
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov announced the liberation of 28 new towns during the month of May.
Belousov confirmed during a meeting of defense ministers of CSTO member states in Almaty that “Kiev has received more than $278 billion from Western countries since 2022 with the aim of prolonging the conflict.”
Belousov explained, “The Russian army forced the Ukrainian forces to retreat 8-9 kilometers in important areas in the Kharkov province, and progress is taking place on all axes, and 880 square kilometers of territory have been liberated during the year 2024.”
Belousov added that the use of Western weapons against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Russia is carried out with the participation of NATO advisors.
Belousov pointed out that Russian forces intercepted more than a thousand marches, more than 250 “Himars” and “Vampir” missiles, and 50 “Atakms” missiles during the month of May.
He confirmed that the Russian army repelled a major attack on the Crimean Bridge with 10 “Atakum” missiles during the past week.
Belousov stated that the losses of the Ukrainian forces during the month of May amounted to more than 35,000 soldiers and more than 2,700 vehicles, including 4 “Abrams” tanks and 7 “Leopard” tanks.
Belousov noted that “Kiev, despite losing its offensive capabilities, continues to convince the West of its readiness to fight until the end.”
The CSTO Defense Ministers’ meeting will be held in the Kazakh city of Almaty, where they will discuss the challenges and threats facing military security within the scope of the organization’s responsibility. A number of bilateral meetings will also be held between heads of delegations on the sidelines of the meeting.
This is the first official event in which the new Russian Defense Minister, Andrei Belousov, will participate since his appointment to this position, succeeding Minister Sergei Shoigu.
The launch of the ninth international conference between Russia and China in Moscow