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Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin

Russia to drive Ukrainian troops out of borderline Kursk Region, Putin asserts

The head of state stressed that the combat in the Kursk region was underway at the momet he spoke

MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has declined to name the exact date when the Ukrainian armed forces will be driven out of Russia’s borderline Kursk Region but there is no doubt that it will happen.

"There is no doubt. I cannot and don’t want to name any specific date when they’ll be driven out. Our guys are fighting, combat is underway right now," he said at the combined Direct Line Q&A session and year-end press conference.

He added that Ukrainian troops will inevitably be kicked out of the Kursk Region. "There are plans. They report to me on a regular basis. But it is inappropriate to say that something will happen ‘by a certain date’ because our guys hear me too. I will name a date and they will surge ahead in order to make it without accounting for losses. We cannot do this," the Russian leader explained.

Russia’s borderline Kursk Region came under a massive attack from Ukraine on August 6. A federal state of emergency is in effect in the region. People are being evacuated from border areas. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, as of early December, Kiev’s overall losses in the region stand at over 38,800 troops and 232 tanks. Russian forces continue operations to eliminate Ukrainian troops.

Earlier, Putin has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine will receive an appropriate response for the attack on the Kursk Region, and all the goals Russia has set for itself will be achieved.

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Russia's domestic policy

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