MOSCOW, March 19. /TASS/. All attempts to infiltrate Russia on the part of saboteurs and foreign mercenaries have failed, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a board meeting of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).

"All attempts by subversive gangs comprising regular enemy troops and foreign mercenaries, <…> all these attempts to break through into our land have failed," the Russian leader said.

He added that some enemy groupings "were planning to commit a true terrorist raid on the border, infiltrating cities and settlements of the Belgorod and Kursk regions," but they were met with fire while approaching and "suffered significant losses, including armored vehicles and artillery.".