Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the strengthening of border security to ensure the rapid movement of Russian military and civilians into Ukrainian areas now under Moscow’s control, Reuters reported, citing BTA.
In a message marking Border Guard Day, Putin said its task was to reliably cover lines near the combat zone.
Attacks in Russia have increased in intensity in recent weeks, mainly through drone strikes in areas along the border with Ukraine, but also further into Russia, including against an oil pipeline northwest of Moscow yesterday, Reuters recalled.
“It is necessary to ensure the rapid movement of military and civilian cars and cargo vehicles, including food and humanitarian aid from construction materials, sent to the new subjects of the Russian Federation,” Putin said in the message uploaded to the Kremlin channel in Telegram.
Kherson, Zaporozhye, Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts are the four regions in Ukraine that Putin declared annexed by Russia last September after referendums described by Kiev as a travesty.
Russian forces only partially control the four districts.
Russian officials said yesterday that three people were wounded in the Belgorod region by Ukrainian shelling.
This week, the same area was targeted by pro-Ukraine fighters, raising doubts about Russia’s defense and military capabilities.
Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions border Ukraine and have been the most frequent targets of attacks that have damaged power lines, railways and military infrastructure. Local representatives blame Ukraine for this.
Kiev has almost never openly claimed responsibility for the attacks in Russia and on territories controlled by Russian forces in Ukraine, but says the destruction of infrastructure is preparation for a planned ground counteroffensive.
Ukraine said yesterday it was ready to launch a long-awaited counter-offensive to retake territory seized from Russia in the 15-month war.
vesti.bg
