Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on Friday that Ukraine would face consequences for its alleged attempts to disrupt the Russian presidential election. Putin accused Ukraine of shelling civilian targets in Russian territory and sending 2,500 armed soldiers to breach Russia’s borders.
Addressing Russia’s security council, which comprises military, intelligence, and civilian leaders, Putin condemned what he called criminal actions by the Kyiv regime. He stated that such actions aimed to intimidate people, especially in border areas, and would not go unpunished.
Putin expressed anger, stating that while Russian air defenses intercepted 95 percent of incoming shells and missiles, some still caused casualties among Russian civilians. He reported four attacks on the Belgorod region and one on the Kursk region by armed Ukrainian proxies allegedly equipped with tanks and armored vehicles.
According to Putin, approximately 60 percent of the Ukrainian-backed soldiers were killed, and half of their armored vehicles were destroyed during the clashes. He emphasized solidarity among the Russian people, denouncing attempts to intimidate them.
Meanwhile, Russia’s election chief, Ella Pamfilova, warned of severe consequences for those attempting to disrupt voting. She announced that individuals vandalizing ballot boxes could face up to five years in jail. This comes after incidents of ballot box tampering, including one where a woman poured green dye into a box to damage voting slips.
Despite these disruptions, officials assured that the incidents would not affect the election’s outcome. Pamfilova reiterated the importance of a fair and orderly electoral process, emphasizing the consequences for those attempting to undermine it.
In response to Putin’s remarks, Ukraine denied involvement in any attacks on Russian territory. Ukrainian officials condemned Putin’s accusations as baseless and urged for de-escalation of tensions between the two countries. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to exchange accusations amid ongoing conflict.
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