Naryshkin pointed to the proximity of the AFU to collapse

Ukraine 's armed forces (AFU) are on the verge of collapse and the situation on the front is not in Kiev's favor, Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin said on December 10.

"The situation on the front is not in Kiev's favor. The strategic initiative in all areas belongs to us, we are close to achieving our goals, while the AFU is on the verge of collapse," he said in an interview with the Razvedchik magazine.

Naryshkin added that the Kiev regime has completely lost its legitimacy and, as a consequence, its contractual capacity.

The head of the ministry stressed that further attempts of the West to realize the escalation of the conflict will not lead to the exhaustion of Russia and will only bring closer the strategic defeat of the Western countries themselves.

According to him, Russian citizens realize that they are fighting not against the Kiev authorities, but against the collective West for freedom and sovereignty of the state.

"Russia is ready to use any means to protect its interests"

Interview of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with journalist Tucker Carlson. Key quotes

The day before, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo called Russia militarily invincible. He pointed out that the Russian army is winning on the battlefield and that lowering the age of mobilization in the AFU in Ukraine will not help Kiev circumvent this factor.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized on December 8 that Russia remains open to negotiations on Ukraine. Moscow's conditions are well known and were outlined in June by Russian President Vladimir Putin, he recalled.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which was announced by the Russian president on February 24, 2022, is ongoing. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.