Putin promises to expel Ukrainian troops from Russia

President Vladimir Putin vowed to expel all Ukrainian troops from Russia on Monday after Kyiv’s biggest incursion into Russian territory since the war began.

“The enemy will get the response it deserves, and all our goals will be achieved,” Putin assured during a meeting with members of the Russian Security Council and local officials to discuss the situation in the Kursk region, where thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have been deployed every week. An offensive that has taken Russian authorities by surprise. According to Putin, the goal of the Ukrainian invasion is “to intimidate society and destabilize Russia” and to try to improve Kyiv’s position in future peace talks. “Do you think we will negotiate with those who shoot at civilians?” the Russian president asked.

Kursk Region Governor Alexei Smirnov admitted on Monday that Kyiv troops have already occupied at least 28 sites, while the head of the Ukrainian General Staff claims that his forces control about 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory.

Meanwhile, the neighboring Belgorod region on Monday ordered the withdrawal of about 11,000 civilians from the border after “military actions” on the Ukrainian side, a sign that Kyiv forces may be preparing a second invasion of Russian territory.

Fire at Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant

Russia and Ukraine have traded accusations over a fire at a cooling tower at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant on Sunday. The Russians say the plant was attacked by drones, while Kyiv accuses Russia of deliberately setting the fire. The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that radiation levels in the area are normal.