Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu believes his army is on the offensive against Ukraine and even mentioned alleged territorial gains in a discussion with senior officers. “Our units are advancing, expanding the zone under their control, improving their position on the front line,” he said at a meeting in Moscow. “After the failure of the enemy’s counteroffensive, the Russian armed forces have the strategic initiative on the entire front line.” He added that the Russian army had captured the villages of Tabayivka and Krokhmalne in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv and the village of …