President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to escalate attacks on military targets in Ukraine, following a significant attack on the Russian city of Belgorod over the weekend.
This attack in Belgorod resulted in 24 fatalities and left more than 100 people injured on Saturday. This incident occurred in the wake of a major offensive by Moscow against Ukrainian cities.
“We’re going to intensify the strikes, no crime against civilians will rest unpunished, that’s for certain,” Putin declared during his visit to a military hospital on Monday. He emphasized the focus on targeting what he termed “military installations,” saying, “We are doing that today, and tomorrow we will continue doing it,” nearly two years into Russia‘s campaign in Ukraine.
Putin’s statement coincided with Ukraine reporting a “record” number of drone attacks by Russia on New Year’s Day.
Labeling the Belgorod incident a “terrorist attack,” Putin accused Ukrainian forces of striking “right in the city centre, where people were walking, before New Year’s Eve.” He reiterated his stance that Ukraine is being manipulated by Western powers to confront Russia.
Putin expressed his belief that Russia holds the “strategic initiative” in the ongoing conflict, as per his briefings. “In any case that is how I am being briefed and I always insist: any offensive operations should be done after a defeat of the enemy,” he commented, as reported by Interfax news agency.
In a televised statement during his visit to the military hospital, Putin conveyed that Russia is not seeking an endless conflict in Ukraine but will not relinquish its positions, insisting on peace only under its terms. He did not elaborate on these conditions.
Putin expressed satisfaction with the Russian army’s performance, claiming strategic control on the front and describing the opposition as “gradually deflating.” Currently, Russian forces occupy about a fifth of Ukraine’s territory.
“We also want to end the conflict, and as soon as possible” — but “only on our terms,” Putin said.
Amid political divisions in the US and the European Union over support for Ukraine, which has delayed aid to Kyiv, the Kremlin’s confidence appears to be growing. Despite Ukraine’s counteroffensive since June yielding limited progress, Russian troops are advancing in eastern regions like Donetsk and Kharkiv.
(With inputs from agencies)
This attack in Belgorod resulted in 24 fatalities and left more than 100 people injured on Saturday. This incident occurred in the wake of a major offensive by Moscow against Ukrainian cities.
“We’re going to intensify the strikes, no crime against civilians will rest unpunished, that’s for certain,” Putin declared during his visit to a military hospital on Monday. He emphasized the focus on targeting what he termed “military installations,” saying, “We are doing that today, and tomorrow we will continue doing it,” nearly two years into Russia‘s campaign in Ukraine.
Putin’s statement coincided with Ukraine reporting a “record” number of drone attacks by Russia on New Year’s Day.
Labeling the Belgorod incident a “terrorist attack,” Putin accused Ukrainian forces of striking “right in the city centre, where people were walking, before New Year’s Eve.” He reiterated his stance that Ukraine is being manipulated by Western powers to confront Russia.
Putin expressed his belief that Russia holds the “strategic initiative” in the ongoing conflict, as per his briefings. “In any case that is how I am being briefed and I always insist: any offensive operations should be done after a defeat of the enemy,” he commented, as reported by Interfax news agency.
In a televised statement during his visit to the military hospital, Putin conveyed that Russia is not seeking an endless conflict in Ukraine but will not relinquish its positions, insisting on peace only under its terms. He did not elaborate on these conditions.
Putin expressed satisfaction with the Russian army’s performance, claiming strategic control on the front and describing the opposition as “gradually deflating.” Currently, Russian forces occupy about a fifth of Ukraine’s territory.
“We also want to end the conflict, and as soon as possible” — but “only on our terms,” Putin said.
Amid political divisions in the US and the European Union over support for Ukraine, which has delayed aid to Kyiv, the Kremlin’s confidence appears to be growing. Despite Ukraine’s counteroffensive since June yielding limited progress, Russian troops are advancing in eastern regions like Donetsk and Kharkiv.
(With inputs from agencies)
