Putin demands increased border security. On Sunday, President Vladimir Putin ordered border security to enable “fast” Russian military and civilian movement into Ukrainian districts under Moscow control.
Putin congratulated the border service, a part of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), on Border Guard Day, saying they “reliably cover” the lines near the conflict zone.
Drone raids on border regions and far into Russia, including an oil pipeline northwest of Moscow on Saturday, have increased recently.
“It is necessary to ensure the fast movement of both military and civilian vehicles and cargo, including food, humanitarian aid building materials sent to the new subjects of the (Russian) Federation,” Putin stated on the Kremlin’s Telegram channel.
After phony referendums, Putin annexed Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Donetsk last September. As a result, Russian soldiers partially control four regions.
Ukrainian shelling in Belgorod, a region targeted by pro-Ukrainian fighters last week, injured three persons on Saturday.
Local officials blame Ukraine for the most frequent attacks on electrical, train, and military facilities in Kursk and Belgorod, Russia, which border Ukraine.
Kyiv seldom claims responsibility for assaults within Russia and on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine but says destroying infrastructure is prepared for its ground offensive.
On Saturday, Ukraine said it would launch a long-promised counteroffensive to retake land lost to Russia in the 15-month war, killing hundreds and destroying Ukrainian cities.
