(VOVWORLD) - Belarus will deploy mechanized units to the border with Ukraine in the wake of the Ukrainian large-scale attack on Russia’s Kursk region on August 6, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced on Monday.
 Belarus military parade in the capital city of Minsk (Photo: AFP/Vietnam News Agency) |
The Ukrainian military is holding 28 settlements in the Kursk region and causing casualties among civilians, including children, acting governor Alexei Smirnov told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. He said work is underway to determine the whereabouts and condition of the victims, provide humanitarian assistance, and evacuate residents from conflict areas.
During an online operational meeting, President Putin ordered preparations to respond to possible new attacks by Ukraine in the border zone, including the Bryansk region. He said strengthening defenses in the border regions and promptly responding to threats will be key tasks in the coming time. Ukraine's attack on the Russian border will receive a "worthy response", and there will be no peace talks after Kiev's new moves, said Putin.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirming the operation for the first time via a Telegram video, said he will force Russia to negotiate.