This is a far cry from Putin's reported goal of capturing Kyiv within days of the invasion.
Sergei Shoigu said Russia is continuing to "build up the combat power" of its armed forces.
At the onset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, US intelligence assessed that Russia could conquer Kyiv in just three days.
Now 18 months into the war, Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu seemingly admitted Russia's offensives in Ukraine could last until at least 2025.
Shoigu added that Russia could achieve its military goals with "consistent implementation of the measures in the action until 2025.".
But, 18 months into the conflict, Russia only occupies parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, as well as the Crimean Peninsula, which it annexed in 2014.
On Tuesday, the ISW said that Russian defenses appeared to lack strength in depth on a key part of the front line where Ukraine has made recent gains. »