LIVE UPDATES - Kiev Loses About 7,500 Troops In Attack In Three Directions

©Russian Defence Ministry/TASS

The Ukrainian military has lost about 7,500 troops killed and wounded since June 4 in its attempts to attack in the south Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Donetsk areas, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported on Wednesday.

During the last 24-hour period, Ukrainian troops made unsuccessful attempts to attack in the south Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Donetsk directions and continued sustaining heavy losses among personnel and military equipment, the general told a briefing on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine.

"In all, Ukrainian troops have lost about 7,500 personnel killed and wounded at the frontline alone since June 4, without counting soldiers destroyed in strikes by Russia’s long-range precision weapons and aircraft deep into Ukrainian territory," Konashenkov said.

Russian forces hit Ukrainian army reserves, mercenaries’ sites by precision weapons

Russian forces delivered precision strikes by seaborne and airborne weapons targeting Ukrainian army reserves, mercenaries’ deployment sites, foreign arms and equipment depots in the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"At night, Russian forces delivered multiple strikes by seaborne and airborne long-range precision weapons against the amassment areas of the Ukrainian army’s reserves and foreign mercenaries, and also foreign-made ammunition, armament and military equipment depots. All the designated targets were destroyed. The goal of the strikes was achieved," the spokesman said.

Russian forces neutralize three Ukrainian subversive groups in Kupyansk area

Russian forces neutralized three Ukrainian subversive groups and destroyed roughly 30 enemy troops in the Kupyansk area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Kupyansk direction, the activity of three Ukrainian subversive/reconnaissance groups was thwarted near the settlements of Sinkovka, Berestovoye and Artyomovka in the Kharkov Region by strikes of attack and army aircraft, artillery fire and active operations by units of the western battlegroup. As many as 30 Ukrainian troops, an armored combat vehicle, two motor vehicles, a US-manufactured M109 Paladin motorized artillery system and a Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery gun were destroyed in that direction in the past 24 hours," the spokesman said.

Russian forces eliminate Ukrainian saboteurs in Krasny Liman area

Russian forces eliminated a Ukrainian subversive group in the Donetsk People’s Republic in the Krasny Liman area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the area of the settlement of Grigorovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, a Ukrainian subversive/reconnaissance group was eliminated," the spokesman said.

Aircraft and artillery of Russia’s battlegroup Center inflicted damage on the enemy units near the settlements of Nevskoye and Chervonaya Dibrova in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Terny and Torskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Serebryansky forestry, the general specified.

"As many as 60 Ukrainian personnel, an infantry fighting vehicle, two pickup trucks, a Gvozdika motorized artillery system, a D-20 howitzer and a Grad multiple rocket launcher were destroyed in that area in the past 24 hours," he said.

Russian forces destroy over 205 Ukrainian troops in Donetsk area

Russian forces destroyed over 205 Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"During the battles, the Ukrainian army’s losses amounted to over 205 personnel, two armored combat vehicles, seven motor vehicles, and two D-20 howitzers," the spokesman said.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed ammunition depots of the Ukrainian army’s 45th artillery and 57th motorized infantry brigades near Seversk Maliy and Chasov Yar in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the general reported.

Russian forces repulse Ukrainian attacks near Vremevka in DPR

Russian forces repulsed attacks by two Ukrainian motorized infantry companies at the Vremevka salient in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"At the Vremevka salient near the settlement of Makarovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the attacks by two Ukrainian motorized infantry companies supported by four tanks and 11 armored combat vehicles were repelled by self-sacrificing and professional actions of defending units from the battlegroup East, air strikes and artillery fire. Four enemy tanks and seven armored combat vehicles were destroyed in the battles," the spokesman said.

Near the settlement of Prechistovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russian forces successfully repelled attacks by two Ukrainian company tactical groups. The enemy’s losses amounted to five tanks and five armored combat vehicles, the general reported.

"In areas near the settlements of Rovnopol in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Levadnoye in the Zaporozhye Region and the Oktyabr state farm, Russian forces destroyed five enemy tanks," he said.

Kiev loses over 800 troops in Zaporozhye, south Donetsk areas in past day The Ukrainian military lost over 800 troops, 20 tanks and two US-made howitzers in the south Donetsk and Zaporozhye areas over the past day, Konashenkov said.

"In all, the enemy’s losses in the south Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions in the past 24 hours amounted to over 800 Ukrainian personnel, 20 tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, 15 armored combat vehicles, two US-made M777 artillery systems, a Msta-B howitzer, a D-30 howitzer and a Grad multiple rocket launcher," the spokesman said.

Russian forces thwart Ukrainian army attack in Zaporozhye area

Russian forces thwarted a Ukrainian attack in the Zaporozhye area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Zaporozhye direction, strikes by assault aircraft foiled an attack by units of the Ukrainian army’s 128th mountain assault brigade near the settlement of Zherebyanki in the Zaporozhye Region," the spokesman said.

Near the settlement of Novoandreyevka in the Zaporozhye Region, an artillery ammunition depot of the Ukrainian army’s 65th mechanized brigade was obliterated, the general reported.

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian air defense radar in Zaporozhye area

Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian air defense radar in the Zaporozhye area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"Near the city of Zaporozhye, a P-18 aerial target detection and tracking radar was destroyed," the spokesman said.

Russian forces destroy 50 Ukrainian troops, artillery gun in Kherson area

Russian forces destroyed roughly 50 Ukrainian troops and a motorized artillery system in the Kherson area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Kherson direction, as many as 50 Ukrainian personnel, nine motor vehicles and an Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system were destroyed in the past 24 hours as a result of damage inflicted by firepower," the spokesman said.

In the past 24 hours, operational/tactical and army aircraft, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groupings of forces struck 107 Ukrainian artillery units at firing positions, manpower and military equipment in 137 areas, the general said.

Russian air defenses intercept two Storm Shadow cruise missiles in Ukraine operation

Russian air defense forces intercepted two Storm Shadow cruise missiles, four rockets of the US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system and shot down 20 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"During the last 24-hour period, air defense capabilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces intercepted two Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles and four rockets of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system," the spokesman said.

In addition, Russian air defense systems destroyed 20 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in areas near the settlements of Sladkaya Balka in the Zaporozhye Region, Zhovtnevoye in the Kharkov Region and Valeryanovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the general reported.

Russian forces cripple over 5,100 field artillery guns in Ukraine operation

Russian forces have destroyed over 5,100 Ukrainian field artillery guns and mortars since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, the general said.

"In all, the following targets have been destroyed since the start of the special military operation: 442 aircraft, 238 helicopters, 4,605 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 surface-to-air missile systems, 9,982 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,124 multiple rocket launchers, 5,111 field artillery guns and mortars and 10,947 special military motor vehicles," Konashenkov reported.

Russian soldiers seize American Bradleys and German Leopard (VIDEO)

Credit: The Russian Defense Ministry

The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage which it said shows Russian troops in Zaporozhye Region inspecting NATO-supplied armor that they captured from its Ukrainian operators.

The video released on Tuesday appears to show an excited Russian soldier circling several damaged pieces of equipment, including a German-made Leopard 2 main battle tank and US-produced Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. He remarked that some of their engines were still running.

“This [explicit] hardware is not as scary as it seemed,” the man is heard saying.

The ministry, which shared the clip on social media, called the Western vehicles “our trophies” and argued that the condition in which they were found “indicates the rapid pace of the engagement and the abandonment of the battle-ready hardware by the Ukrainian armed forces.”

As Kiev was preparing for its counteroffensive against Russia, Western nations supplied it with dozens of armored vehicles, including main battle tanks. Ukrainian officials, including Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov, touted the donated “panzerfist” as a gamechanger in the conflict.

The operation was finally launched last week and has so far failed to bring any dramatic changes on the frontline. Moscow says it has thwarted all Ukrainian attempts to break through its defensive lines.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the losses of the Ukrainian army “impressive” and blamed the country’s government for taking actions that pushed the situation to the current “tragic” state.

Russian Missile System S-350 Destroys Real Target Automatically for First Time

Russian air defense complex S-350 Vityaz has automatically destroyed a real air target for the first time ever, during combat operations in the area of Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine, Russian Industry Minister Denis Manturov told Sputnik.

"Just recently, [Russian metallurgy and heavy machine-building] Obukhov Plant has announced that the S-350 Vityaz anti-aircraft missile system, hit a target in the area of the special operation [in Ukraine] in automatic mode for the first time in the world, using artificial intelligence without the participation of the human," Manturov said.

Russian air defense systems are currently the only systems in the world capable of destroying hypersonic missiles, which, again, only Russian armed forces have at their service, the minister added.

In late May, a source familiar with the matter told Sputnik that Vityaz had performed fully automatic detection, tracking and destruction of Ukrainian combat aircraft and drones in the area of the special operation for the first time ever. The automatic mode was implemented through the principle of non-interference by humans in decisions made by AI, the source added.

Kapal Api Group Indonesia Open 2023 - Wakil Indonesia Yang Lolos ke 16 Besar

Indonesia Open 2023 resmi digelar sejak hari Selasa kemari, 13/6/2023, di Istora Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, Jakarta. Turnamen bulutangkis BWF World Tour level Super 1000 telah menyajikan laga di babak 32 besar.

10 wakil Indonesia turun, sayangnya dua di antaranya sudah harus bertemu di babak awal yaitu ganda putri Lanny Tria Mayasari/Ribka Sugiarto dan Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi.

Duel Merah Putih pada babak 32 besar Indonesia Open 2023 tersebut dimenangi Febriana/Amalia dua gim langsung dengan skor 21-15 dan 21-18.

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Laga epik pada babak 32 besar Kapal Api Group Indonesia Open 2023, terjadi di nomor Ganda putra, yaitu laga antara wakil Indonesia, Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin versus pasangan muda wakil Jepang, Ayato Endo/Yuta Takei.

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Kali ini, gempuran serangan juara Indonesia Masters 2023 itu kembali menggelegar pada babak 32 besar yang bergulir hari Selasa, 13/06/2023.

Berlaga di Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia, Leo/Daniel berhasil membungkam Endo/Takei lewat pertarungan tiga gim, 23-21, 8-21, 21-12 dalam 62 menit.

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Rekap Hasil Babak 16 Besar Kapal Api Group Indonesia Open 2023

Russia’s precision strike wipes out Ukrainian army reserves, foreign arms depot

©Russian Defence Ministry/TASS

The Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike by precision weapons against clusters of Ukrainian army reserves and a depot of foreign-made ammunition and armaments in the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported on Tuesday.

"At night, the Russian Aerospace Forces delivered multiple strikes by airborne long-range precision weapons against the amassment areas of the Ukrainian army’s operational reserves and a depot storing foreign-made ammunition and armaments. All the designated targets were destroyed. The goal of the strike was achieved," the spokesman said.

Russian forces neutralize Ukrainian subversive group in Kupyansk area

Russian forces neutralized a Ukrainian subversive group in the Kupyansk area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Kupyansk direction, aircraft and artillery of the western battlegroup inflicted damage on the enemy units in areas near the settlements of Ivanovka in the Kharkov Region and Rozovka in the Lugansk People’s Republic. Near the settlement of Timkovka in the Kharkov Region, the activity of a Ukrainian subversive/reconnaissance group was thwarted," the spokesman said.

Over 35 Ukrainian troops, an armored personnel carrier, a pickup truck and a D-20 howitzer were destroyed in the Kupyansk area in the past 24 hours, the general reported.

Russian forces eliminate 60 Ukrainian troops in Krasny Liman area in past day

Russian forces eliminated roughly 60 Ukrainian troops and a motorized artillery system in the Krasny Liman area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Krasny Liman direction, operational/tactical and army aviation and artillery of the battlegroup Center inflicted damage on the Ukrainian army units in areas near the settlements of Nevskoye and Belogorovka in the Lugansk People’s Republic and the Serebryansky forestry," the spokesman said.

As many as 60 Ukrainian personnel, two armored combat vehicles, four motor vehicles, a Gvozdika motorized artillery system, D-20 and D-30 howitzers were destroyed in that direction in the past 24 hours, the general reported.

Russian forces repel Ukrainian attacks in Donetsk area

Russian forces repelled Ukrainian army attacks at the Vremevka bulge, near Artyomovsk and Makarovka in the Donetsk direction over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"During the last 24-hour period, Ukrainian army units continued attempts to conduct offensive operations in the south Donetsk direction, and also near the town of Artyomovsk. At the Vremevka bulge, the Kiev regime threw into battle the units hastily assembled from the remnants of the Ukrainian army brigades that had earlier sustained heavy casualties," the spokesman said.

In the past 24 hours, Russian forces repulsed three attacks by Ukrainian army units reinforced by tanks and armored combat vehicles near the settlement of Makarovka, the general reported.

"All the attacks were repelled by courageous and decisive actions of units from the battlegroup East, air strikes and artillery fire. Eight out of ten armored personnel carriers of the Ukrainian army involved in the attacks were destroyed," he said.

Russian forces repulse two Ukrainian attacks south of Artyomovsk

Russian forces repulsed two Ukrainian attacks south of Artyomovsk over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"South of the town of Artyomovsk in the Donetsk People’s Republic, two enemy attacks towards the settlement of Klreshcheyevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic were successfully repulsed in the past 24 hours by active operations of the southern battlegroup," the spokesman said.

Ukrainian troops were prevented from breaking into Russian defenses, the general stressed.

"As many as 350 Ukrainian personnel, two armored combat vehicles and six motor vehicles were destroyed in the battles," he said.

Russian forces wipe out 275 Ukrainian troops in south Donetsk area

Russian forces destroyed about 275 Ukrainian troops in the south Donetsk area, near the Vremevka bulge and Artyomovsk over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"The enemy’s total losses in those areas in the past 24 hours amounted to 275 Ukrainian personnel, four tanks, 15 armored combat vehicles, eight motor vehicles and an Msta-B howitzer," the spokesman said.

Also, Russian forces successfully repulsed two Ukrainian army attacks near the settlement of Rovnopol in the Donetsk People’s Republic in the past 24 hours.

They destroyed two Ukrainian tanks and three armored combat vehicles. Near the settlement of Prechistovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russian forces eliminated the larger part of the personnel of a Ukrainian company tactical group and four infantry fighting vehicles, the general reported.

Russian forces destroy 30 Ukrainian troops in Kherson area

Russian forces destroyed roughly 30 Ukrainian troops and a motorized artillery system in the Kherson area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Kherson direction, as many as 30 Ukrainian personnel, three motor vehicles, an Msta-B howitzer and a Gvozdika motorized artillery system were destroyed in the past 24 hours as a result of damage inflicted by firepower," the spokesman said.

Russian forces strike 98 Ukrainian artillery units in past day

Russian forces struck 98 Ukrainian artillery units at firing positions over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"During the last 24-hour period, operational/tactical and army aviation, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groupings of forces inflicted damage on 98 Ukrainian artillery units at firing positions, manpower and military equipment in 114 areas," the spokesman said.

Russian air defenses intercept three Storm Shadow missiles, 10 HIMARS rockets

Russian air defense forces intercepted three Storm Shadow missiles, 10 rockets of the US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system and shot down six Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the past 24 hours, air defense capabilities intercepted three Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles and 10 rockets of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system," the spokesman said.

In addition, Russian air defense systems shot down six Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in areas near the settlements of Staromlynovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Rabotino in the Zaporozhye Region, Korsunka in the Kherson Region, Pshenichnoye and Novokrasnyanka in the Lugansk People’s Republic, the general reported.

In total, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 442 Ukrainian combat aircraft, 238 helicopters, 4,585 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 surface-to-air missile systems, 9,939 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,122 multiple rocket launchers, 5,100 field artillery guns and mortars and 10,927 special military motor vehicles since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, Konashenkov reported.

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Putin: West Needs to Stop Delivering Weapons to Kiev if They Want to Resolve Conflict

©Sputnik / Gavriil Grigorov / Go to the mediabank

Kiev is so far failing in all directions of their counteroffensive, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday, adding that the Ukrainian military has suffered heavy casualties.

"The enemy was not successful in any of the directions. They have heavy losses," Putin said during a meeting with military correspondents.

The president mentioned that the Ukrainian military is currently attacking at the Shakhtyorsk and Vremevka directions “but fail to reach the front line.” In total, Ukraine is attacking from four directions, Putin added.

"This is a large-scale counteroffensive using, as I said quite recently publicly, reserves prepared for these purposes. It has been going on since [June] 4, and continues to this day, right now," Putin said.

The president also noted that the Ukrainian forces "lost more than 160 tanks [during their counteroffensive], while we lost 54. Some of them can be recovered and repaired."

Ukraine's Losses Amount to 25-30% of Equipment Volume Delivered to From Abroad

"According to my calculations, this is about 25% or maybe 30% of the volume of the equipment that was delivered from abroad, that is about it. It seems to me that if they objectively calculate them, they will agree with this number, but as far as I have seen from open sources, Western sources, that is almost what they say, I think. So the offensive is underway, and the results today are what I just said," Putin told military correspondents.

Ukraine lost 160 tanks and 360 armored vehicles during the counteroffensive, and this is only what Moscow sees, the president added.

"As for armored vehicles, there are even more serious [losses]. They have lost over 160 tanks and over 360 armored vehicles of various types during this time. This is just what we register. There are also losses that we do not see, which are inflicted by high-precision long-range weapons on clusters of personnel and equipment. So in fact, there are more of them, these losses, on the part of Ukraine," Putin concluded.

The Russian president noted that with Kiev importing all its weapons and equipment from foreign countries Ukraine's defense industry will soon completely cease to exist since it is producing nothing. "Ukraine's defense industry will soon completely cease to exist. What are they producing? They are importing ammunition, equipment, weapons, everything. So one cannot live and last long. That is why the issue related to demilitarization is in a very practical dimension," Putin highlighted.

On Plans to Provide Uranium Shells to Kiev

"There is no need to act preemptively. We have a lot of such ammunition with depleted uranium, if they are used, we also reserve the right to use the same ammunition. We have them in stock, we just do not use them," Putin stated.

The West has taken all weapons from its warehouses for their transfer to Ukraine, and only has stocks left in South Korea and Israel that will also end soon, Putin added.

The president also noted that the US and European economies are resilient but it is not easy to produce weapons during a recession.

“About things they say, we will produce this, we will produce that - well, produce then. In a recession, things are not so simple … The resilience of the European and American economies is very large, this is obvious. They are high-tech, the structure of the economy is very developed, they are, in general, powerful. But there are many problems,” Putin said.

Russia Had No Interest in Destruction of Kakhovka HPP, Responsibility on Kiev

Russia definitely had no interest in the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant (HPP), this tragedy had entailed severe consequences for new Russian regions, and the responsibility for this lies with Kiev, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"But as we understand, we are definitely not interested in this, because these are serious consequences for those territories that we control and which are Russian — this is the first point. And the second point — well, unfortunately, I will say a strange thing, but nevertheless, unfortunately, it slowed down their counteroffensive in this direction. Why do I say unfortunately? Because it would be better if they were advancing there. It is better for us, because it would be really bad for them to attack there. But since such a flood occurred, then, accordingly, the offensive did not take place," Putin told reporters.

The president stressed that the Ukrainian side was to blame for the tragedy at the Kakhovka HPP.

"Well, it is clear who is to be blamed, the Ukrainian side was striving toward this. You know, I am not going to say things 100% now that I am not sure about, because by and large we did not record big explosions before the destruction occurred, at least that is what I was told. But they purposefully repeatedly attacked with HIMARS Kakhovka HPP. Maybe they had planted some kind of explosives there, I do noy know now," Putin said.

All the citizens affected by the explosion at the Kakhovka HPP will be assisted in accordance with Russian laws and standards, the president concluded. Goals of Special Military Operation Change in Accordance With Current Situation Speaking about goals of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, the Russian president said that they change in accordance with the current situation but these changes are not fundamental.

"They are changing in accordance with the current situation, but in general, of course, we will not change anything, and they are fundamental for us," Putin said. Putin also remarked that Russia tried to seek normal relations with Kiev.

"We sincerely tried to reach an agreement [with Ukraine]. It was difficult to negotiate some kind of patchwork of southeastern Ukraine with the rest of the country, but we tried in good faith," Putin told military correspondents.

The president added, however, that Russia would never tolerate what is currently happening in Ukraine.

"What is happening there [in Ukraine] now will certainly never suit us, historically speaking. When the negotiations were held, including in Istanbul, we constantly raised this issue, and they in turn told us: 'But there is nothing neo-Nazi about us, what do you want from us?' [Russia wants] at least some relative legislative restrictions. In general, we also agreed on this during the round of negotiations before our troops were withdrawn from Kiev and after they threw all our agreements out of the window," Putin said.

The president added that Russia, through its special military operation, is gradually and methodically engaged in the demilitarization of Ukraine.

West Needs to Stop Delivering Weapons to Kiev if They Want to Resolve Conflict

The West needs to stop supplying Ukraine with weapons if they want to resolve the ongoing conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized.

"And we understand that the key to solving problems [in Ukraine] is on their side. If they really want today's conflict to end through negotiations, they only need to make one decision - to stop the supply of weapons and equipment. That's it," Putin said.

But Western countries are proud of pumping Ukraine with weapons and violating international principles, the president noted

"The West is pumping Ukraine with weapons, it is really so, nobody hides it. On the contrary, they are proud of it," Putin said.

The president added that Western countries "to a certain extent violate some international laws by supplying weapons to the conflict zone."

"They just prefer not to notice it, but they are actually doing it," he said.

Creation of Sanitary Zone in Ukraine Not Ruled Out Amid Attacks on Russia

If Ukrainian attacks on the Russian territory will continue, then Moscow will have to consider the issue of creating a sanitary zone in Ukraine so their missiles will not be able to reach Russian regions, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

"And if this continues, then we will apparently have to consider the issue - I say this very carefully - in order to create some kind of sanitary zone on the territory of Ukraine at such a distance from which it would be impossible to reach our territory," Putin said at the meeting.

The president admitted the necessity for Russia to strengthen its border with Ukraine and this process is already underway.

"Of course, we must ensure the security of our citizens.... Of course we have to strengthen the border. And certainly, those of you who work there, you can see that this process is underway, is moving quite quickly, this task will also be solved," Putin said.

He added that Russia saw drone attacks in Syria similar to those in the Belgorod Region and learned how to deal with such a threat quite quickly.

"This is sometimes difficult, but manageable," Putin said, adding that the Russian air defense system is tuned to identify large objects, while drones are small and made of modern materials that are difficult to detect.

"Work in this direction is already underway and will be completed," the president added.

Commenting on the recent attacks in the Belgorod Region, Putin said that they are aimed at distracting Russian forces from other directions that are critical for Kiev.

Answering a question from a journalist, the president said that there is generally no need to impose martial law in Russia in light of situation in Belgorod region.

By attacking Russia's border Belgorod Region, Ukraine is trying to divert Russian military's attention from other areas of its ongoing military operation, the president stated, adding that "we have to do everything we can to ensure security of our citizens."

The president also noted that Russia cannot use terrorist methods, unlike the Ukrainian authorities.

"Unlike the current Ukrainian authorities, we cannot use terrorist methods. We are a state, while they [Ukraine] have a regime. And they indeed act like a regime based on terror. They are on high counterintelligence alert and have introduced martial law," Putin said in answer to a question on whether Ukrainian secret agents are present in Russia.

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Kembangkan Green Business, Kadin Promosikan Bambu dan Rempah

The president added that the operations of Russian special services must be expanded in the future to better protect the nation from Ukrainian agents.

Ukraine Attacked Russian Ship Guarding Turkstream, With US Coordinating Process

Ukrainian drones tried to attack a Russian warship that was guarding the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, while the actions were coordinated by US intelligence, the president said at the meeting

"Yesterday or the day before yesterday, our ship which was guarding the Turkish Stream — a gas pipeline, was attacked. Four drones were half-submerged, three were destroyed, the fourth was disoriented and then taken down. Immediately after that — four more drones [attacked]," Putin told journalists.

Strikes on Ukraine’s Energy Facilities Response to Crossing Red Lines

Russian strikes on the Ukrainian energy facilities and the destruction of the headquarters of Ukraine’s main intelligence department were a response to crossing red lines by Kiev, President Vladimir Putin stated.

"Strikes on the entire energy system of Ukraine. Isn't this a response to crossing red lines? And actual destruction of the headquarters of the main intelligence department of the armed forces of Ukraine near Kiev? … is this not an answer? It is,” he told military correspondents.

Russia Still Wants to Have Best Relations With Countries of Former USS

Russia still wants to have the best relations with all the countries of the former Soviet Union, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"We wanted and we still want to have the best relations with all our neighbors after the collapse of the Soviet Union. And we do so, we have come to terms with... Well, that's what's happened. We have to live with it," Putin told journalists.