President Putin Says Ukraine Is Trying To Disrupt Russia's Stability

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Source: Kremlin)

JAKARTA - President Vladimir Putin said on Monday Ukraine attempted to destabilize Russia with attacks on the southern region of the country, but said it would not work.

"The loss of the Ukrainian armed forces has increased dramatically for them, including among the most combat-ready units, units that the enemy has moved to our borders," President Putin said in a meeting with regional governors and top security officials.

"The enemy will definitely receive a proper response and all the goals we face, without doubt, will be achieved," he said.

President Putin further said Ukraine appeared to be trying to increase its negotiating position in the war, but there was no question about negotiations with the enemy it accused of targeting civilians in its operations in the Kursk region.

He said Ukraine was trying to slow Russia's progress on the other side of the front lines of fighting, but Moscow forces were still advancing.

President Putin's comments are the most detailed he has ever conveyed so far, since Ukraine launched a sudden cross-border attack on August 6.

The comments appear aimed at showing control of the situation and showing confidence that the sudden attack would not work.

Ukraine has not publicly disclosed the purpose of the operation, which has shocked Russia after months of gradual progress by Russia in eastern Ukraine.

However, President Putin also told officials to prepare for a worsening situation before improving.

"The enemy will continue to try to destabilize the situation in the border zone, to shake up the internal political situation in our country," he said in response to reports of the situation submitted by governor Bryansk, another border area.

"Therefore, if today the Bryansk region is relatively calm, this does not mean that the same situation will continue there tomorrow," said President Putin.

Separately, the governor of the Kursk region, who addressed the same meeting, said Ukraine controlled 28 settlements there and its troops had advanced 12 km (7.4 miles) into Russian territory.