Putin vows to expel enemy from Russian territory as Ukraine claims control of 1,000 sq. km
Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to "expel the enemy" from Russian territory after it was reported that Ukrainian forces had taken control of numerous Russian villages and extensive areas of land just a week into Kyiv's unexpected cross-border incursion.
On Monday (Aug 12) Putin held a meeting with local officials from the border regions as including Russia’s top security, government and law enforcement personnel.
Aleksey Smirnov, head of the Kursk region, informed Putin that 28 settlements in his region were now under Ukrainian control, adding that Ukrainian troops had managed to advance some 7.5 miles (12 kilometres) into the territory across a 25-mile (40-kilometer) wide stretch of the border.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced on Monday that approximately 386 square miles (1,000 square kilometres) of Russian territory were now under Ukrainian control.
VIDEO |Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine claims to control 1,000 sq km of Russia's Kursk
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who rules the skies? Meet top 10 nations with most advanced fighter jets
)
'She knows everything...': Who is mystery woman seen in viral 'kiss cam' video of Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
What is 'Kaveri Engine' and why life of India's Tejas Mk2 fighter jet depends on it?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet the top 6 aircraft carrier-based fighter jets in the world
)
Astronomer CEO Andy Byron’s wife drops last name from social media profiles, deactivates account after viral ‘kiss cam’ clip
)
Donald Trump's big claim on India-Pakistan conflict, Operation Sindoor: '5 jets were...'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is the richest golfer of all time? Check top 5 names
)
Is mystery woman on Coldplay kiss cam Alyssa Stoddard? Astronomer addresses claim
)
Man sneaks his wife into Business Class for sleep time, leaving flight attendant stumped
)
Boeing Dreamliner system can cut off fuel without pilot's intervention: Top aviation expert reveals amid ongoing Air India crash probe
)
‘Turned their lives upside down...’: Woman who shot Andy Byron-Kristin Cabot viral ‘kiss cam’ clip now feels bad - Here’s what she said
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
5 greatest male tennis players of all time: Federer at no. 3, check who tops the list
)
Who is Andy Byron? Viral Astronomer CEO exposed having affair with HR Kristin Cabot - All about his company
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet 5 most successful ODI captains: Only one Indian makes cut - and it’s not Virat Kohli
The Russian president said the invasion was an attempt by Ukraine to progress its negotiation position.
“But what kind of negotiations can we even talk about with people who indiscriminately strike at civilians, at civilian infrastructure, or try to create threats to nuclear power facilities. What can we even talk about with them?” Putin said.
Putin instructed his security chiefs to expel the Ukrainian forces, “The key task is certainly before the Ministry of Defense: to push out, expel the enemy from our territories and along with the border guard service, ensure reliable protection of the state border.”
Russia evacuates over 76,000 in Kursk region
Russia evacuated more than 76,000 people from areas bordering Ukraine in Russia's Kursk region following Ukraine's incursion into the region earlier this week.
The Russian emergencies ministry released a video clip it said showed evacuees arriving at the city of Oryol, 140 kilometres north of Kursk.
Zelensky acknowledges incursion
On Saturday (Aug 10), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time acknowledged that his country's military was fighting in the Kursk region, and said that the operation was part of Kyiv's drive to restore justice following the Russian invasion in 2022.
(With inputs from agencies)