MOSCOW, March 15. /TASS/. Step by step, Russian troops achieve the set goals in the special military operation area, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with the Russian Security Council.

"The Russian Armed Forces firmly retain the initiative and, step by step, displaying courage and heroism, achieve the designated combat goals, and thus create the necessary, basic conditions for ensuring Russia’s security, internal political stability and, in the end, for achievement of all national development goals, for the future of our Homeland that will be reliably ensured despite any attempts of our enemies and malefactors," the head of state said.

He also commented on the Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s border regions that have become increasingly frequent recently, opining that, with these attacks, Ukraine seeks to "distract the attention of its own people and people of other countries, which the Kiev regime tries to beg money and handouts from, from the real situation at the frontline."