MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. The Kiev regime's sabotage acts against Russian citizens highlight its terrorist nature, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the combined Direct Line Q&A and year-end press conference.

According to the Russian leader, attempts have been made not only against Russian servicemen, but "also against journalists and public figures." "Just remember the assassination of [journalist and political scientist Darya] Dugina. What is this? These are signs of the terrorist nature of the Kiev regime," Putin emphasized.

At the same time, the Russian leader pointed to the need to intensify counteraction on the part of law enforcement agencies. "This, of course, means that our respective law enforcement and special services failed to prevent these attacks. They missed these blows. What can be said here? We just need to improve this work and not allow such devastating hits against us," Putin emphasized.

According to investigators, on the morning of December 17, an explosive device planted in a scooter standing near the entrance of an apartment building on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow was detonated. Kirillov and his assistant were killed in the explosion. The Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on the grounds of crimes under Article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code (Terrorist Act), Article 105 (Murder), Article 222.1 (Illegal Storage of Explosives and Explosive Devices), and Article 223.1 (Illegal Manufacture of Explosives and Explosive Devices). The press office of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) reported the detention of the perpetrator of Kirillov's assassination. He turned out to be a 29-year-old Uzbek citizen who was recruited by Ukraine's intelligence services and promised a $100,000 reward and a trip to an EU country.