Afrasianet - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that by attacking Kursk, the Kiev regime is trying to improve its negotiating positions and disrupt the Russian offensive in the Donbass, stressing that the enemy will receive a "decent response" to its actions

Putin's remarks came during a meeting on Monday attended by senior government, military and security officials as well as border district commanders with Ukraine to discuss the situation in Kursk.

Putin noted that Kiev is carrying out the wish of its Western masters, who are fighting Russia "in the hands of Ukrainians."

Intentions of the Kiev regime

Putin stressed that Kiev's armed provocation on the Russian-Ukrainian border is aimed at strengthening its position in future negotiations, but stressed that these are futile hopes, wondering how to talk in the first place about negotiating with those who indiscriminately target civilians, (hit) civilian infrastructure, or try to create a threat to nuclear power facilities.

Putin added that the Ukrainian armed provocation is also aimed at reducing the pace of the offensive by Russian forces in the Donbass, but in reality this attack has not only slowed down but also increased its pace contrary to Kiev's expectations.

Putin stressed that the Kiev regime has failed to "sow discord and discord" in Russian society, pointing out that the number of citizens willing to contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and take up arms in defense of the homeland has increased in recent days.

In turn, the losses of Ukrainian units most prepared for combat are increasing, Putin noted, adding that the leaders of the Kiev regime have taken "the path of extermination of the Ukrainians themselves."

Protection of the Russian border

Putin said that "an assessment of what is happening must certainly be made" in Kursk, but the main task now is to expel the enemy from the country's territory and "ensure reliable protection of the state border."

Putin did not rule out the possibility of new Ukrainian attacks on border areas, including in the Bryansk region, and said: "The FSB, in cooperation with the National Guard, must ensure the implementation of the system of counter-terrorism operations and 'fight effectively' against Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups infiltrating the border areas.

Putin assured that the enemy "will definitely receive a decent response" to his actions, and that all the goals of the special military operation will be achieved.

During the meeting, the leaders of the Kursk provinces and its neighbors Belgorod and Bryansk reported to the head of state on the developments of the situation, with the acting governor of Russian Kursk Alexei Smirnov noting that the situation in the province remains difficult, and that the enemy controls 28 towns and villages in the border areas, while about 121,000 people have been evacuated to safe areas and another 59,000 people are being evacuated.

Russian forces continue to counter the attack by the Ukrainian army on the territory of Kursk on the morning of August 6, while the Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee announced last Saturday the imposition of the system of counter-terrorism operations in Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk, Russia, due to the increased level of terrorist threats from Ukraine.