Egypt Daily News – During a meeting with senior government and military officials, Russian President Vladimir Putin characterized recent Ukrainian attacks on Kursk as an attempt to strengthen Kiev’s negotiating position and to distract from Russian operations in Donbass.
He claimed that these actions are in line with the desires of Ukraine’s Western allies, whom he accused of using Ukraine to fight against Russia.
Putin dismissed the notion of negotiating with Ukraine, arguing that their current conduct—targeting civilians and critical infrastructure—renders such discussions impossible.
He asserted that Ukraine’s efforts to disrupt Russian advances have ultimately backfired, as Russian military operations in Donbass have intensified.
He further noted that Russia’s societal cohesion remains strong, with an increase in citizens seeking to enlist in the armed forces, contrasting this with the growing losses among Ukraine’s military units. He accused the leaders in Kiev of harming their own people through their military strategies.
In terms of security, Putin emphasized the need for heightened protective measures along Russia’s borders and expressed the possibility of further Ukrainian assaults, including in the Bryansk region.
He called for coordinated anti-terrorism operations within the affected regions and assured that Russia would respond appropriately to any threats.
Reports from local officials indicated that the situation in Kursk remains precarious, with Ukrainian forces holding control over several towns and ongoing efforts to evacuate thousands of residents to safety.
The Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee had already declared a regime of anti-terrorism operations due to the perceived rise in threats.
