Deputy chairman of the State Duma defence committee Yuri Shvytkin says that no matter what Western politicians claim, they will not be able to change the course of the special military operation.

He was commenting on recent remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who suggested that in the event of a direct military clash between Moscow and the alliance, it would be NATO that emerged the winner.

Shvytkin called such statements completely unfounded. He recalled that NATO countries, in his view, have long been waging war against Russia — through the supply of weapons and military equipment to Kiev, as well as the direct involvement of foreign specialists within the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

He said that, despite these declarations and the financial resources being poured into Ukrainian units, this «in no way» changes the situation on the battlefield, as quoted by the outlet Lenta.ru.

According to Shvytkin, Russian units are advancing every day, liberating settlements and taking up new positions in the special military operation zone, which creates conditions for further progress. He argued that the main strength of the Russian Armed Forces is their moral and psychological advantage and the human factor, stressing that Russian servicemen clearly understand the tasks they are carrying out.