President Vladimir Putin says his troops are "holding the initiative" in Ukraine.

Russia's president said Tuesday that his country's military has seized the initiative in Ukraine after repelling a months-long counteroffensive.
Putin says the Russian army has the upper hand in Ukraine and is ready to achieve Moscow's goals.
Putin spoke at a meeting with top military leaders a day after he submitted papers to Russia's Central Election Commission to seek re-election in a March presidential election he is almost certain to win.
"Our troops are holding the initiative," the Russian leader said. "We are in fact doing what we consider necessary, doing what we want to do. Where our commanders deem it necessary to stick to active defense, they do it, and we improve our positions where it is necessary."