Belousov noted the successful advance of the Russian Armed Forces in the Seversky direction

On December 11, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov congratulated the Russian military on the liberation of the settlement of Seversk in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and noted their confident progress in the Seversk direction.

"The head of the military department noted that the military personnel are confidently moving forward in the Northern direction, breaking into the enemy's defenses, ensuring the advance of the entire group of troops," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a Telegram channel.

Belousov stressed that military personnel perform combat missions in the most difficult areas, showing courage and bringing victory closer. The Minister also expressed gratitude for their loyalty to military duty and confidence that the military personnel will continue to reliably protect Russia's national interests and security.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on the same day that Putin had received a detailed report on the liberation of Seversk. He said that the meeting was attended by Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Sergei Medvedev, Commander of the Southern Group of Troops, and Denis Pirogov, commander of the 123rd Motorized Rifle Brigade.

On the same day, Putin declared that the strategic initiative was entirely in the hands of the Russian Armed Forces (AF). Along with this, the Russian leader noted the positive dynamics of the liberation of the territories of Donbass and Novorossiya, noting the commitment to the plan.