Putin accuses West and Kiev of adopting "terrorist tactics" in conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the fighting in the Belgorod and Kursk regions. "The West actively used various trans-border radical and terrorist groups, partly encouraging their aggression against Russia," he said. He also accused the "neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv" of adopting "terrorist tactics."
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Vladimir Putin met with the board of the Federal Security Service, where they discussed the annual performance of the service. He praised the service for defending Russia's sovereignty and highly rated its efforts in combating extremism.
The Russian president referred to the activities of rebel groups conducting attacks in the Belgorod and Kursk regions.
"I realize that we are dealing with a strong, dangerous enemy, whose arsenal includes wide-ranging informational, technical, and financial capabilities," he said.
"As could be expected, the neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv also shifted to terrorist tactics: with similar external support and often under direct instructions. This includes shelling peaceful cities, attacks on government officials and public figures, and attempts to recruit perpetrators of subversive and terrorist attacks aimed at critical infrastructure and public space in Russia," said the Russian president.
Putin also accused Western countries of attacks. "At this point, I would like to note that the West actively used various trans-border radical and terrorist groups, partly encouraging their aggression against Russia," he said. He recalled that the American and British embassies issued warnings to their citizens in early March to avoid large crowds in Russia due to the threat of attacks.
Putin: we will punish them
Putin also argued that actions aimed at Russia within the country are being repelled.
"Any attempts to invade our territory through subversion and terrorist gangs consisting of regular enemy units, foreign mercenaries, as well as all sorts of scum that reached the territory of the regime in Kyiv through various channels: all these attempts have failed," he said.
"We will punish them without statute of limitations, wherever they are," he said.
Since March 12, units of Russian volunteers have been attacking in the Kursk and Belgorod regions. According to unofficial information, several people have died in the fighting, and about 100 are wounded.
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