Putin: The situation on the front “is extremely difficult”

Speaking to Russian security service members, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that the situation in the four areas he declared Russian territory in September, Donjesk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, as well as Kherson and Zaporizian in the south, is extremely difficult.

Especially would I like to mention units of security agencies that started operating in the new Russian regions. The situation in those areas is extremely difficult”.

I would particularly like to mention units of security agencies that began operating in the new Russian regions. Yeah, it's hard for you now: the situation in those areas is extremely difficult. But the people who live there, the citizens of Russia, rely on you to protect you. And it is your duty to do everything necessary to ensure their security, rights and freedoms”, the Russian president, Putin, said.

He pledged that Moscow will continue to strengthen new units with modern equipment and weapons, as well as experienced personnel.

Meanwhile, the commander of Ukrainian Joint Forces Serhiy Nayev said he believed the Russian leader's meeting with Belarusan counterpart aimed at the wider involvement of Belarusian forces in the operation against Ukraine.

Belarus's president, Alexander Lukaschenko, has repeatedly said he has no intention of sending troops to Ukraine after giving Russian forces the opportunity to exploit Belarus's territory for the attack on Ukraine in February.

Russia has never fully controlled any of the four areas that were annexed by Moscow in September. The amendment has not been recognised by the international community.