MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin mentioned on Monday (Jan 1) that Moscow will intensify strikes on army targets in Ukraine after an unprecedented attack over the weekend on the Russian metropolis of Belgorod.
The assault killed 24 individuals and left over 100 wounded in Belgorod on Saturday. It got here after Moscow launched a large-scale assault on Ukrainian cities.
“We will intensify the strikes, no crime towards civilians will relaxation unpunished, that is for sure,” Putin mentioned on Monday throughout a go to to a army hospital.
He mentioned Russia will press on with hitting what he known as “army installations”.
“We’re doing that at present, and tomorrow we’ll proceed doing it,” Putin mentioned, nearly two years into Moscow’s offensive.
He spoke as Ukraine mentioned Russia had hit it with a “file” variety of drones on New Yr’s Day.
Putin known as the Belgorod hit a “terrorist assault” and accused Ukrainian forces of focusing on “proper within the metropolis centre, the place individuals have been strolling, earlier than New Yr’s Eve”.
He repeated a declare that Ukraine is being utilized by the West to “settle its issues” with Russia.
The Russian chief mentioned he believed the “strategic initiative” within the dragging battle was on the Russian facet.
“In any case that’s how I’m being briefed and I at all times insist: Any offensive operations must be carried out after a defeat of the enemy,” he mentioned, in accordance with the Interfax information company.