MOSCOW, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the goals of Russia's special military operation (SMO) will be achieved.

"The past year has been an important milestone in fulfilling the tasks of the special military operation," Putin said while addressing an expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry.

Putin underscored that Russia has the capability to accelerate its offensive pace in the SMO zone, adding that Russia's task of expanding the security buffer zone will be fulfilled, and the SMO's core goals will be realized.

"This year alone, more than 300 settlements have been liberated, including major cities that the enemy had turned into fortified strongholds equipped with long-term defensive structures," the Russian leader said.

He further said that the Russian military currently holds the strategic initiative along the entire Russia-Ukraine conflict front and is defeating Ukrainian forces, including the latter's elite units trained in the West.

Putin also announced that several submarines and surface ships have been commissioned into the Russian Navy this year, while the "Oreshnik" missile complex will enter combat duty by the end of 2025. ■