In his first public appearance since Ukraine's surprise military incursion into southern Russia, President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered top defense officials to "drive out the enemy" during a tense televised meeting of the Security Council.
At one point Putin interrupted a regional governor who said Ukraine’s military had taken control of 28 settlements in Russia’s Kursk border region, curtly saying "depth and width" of the incursion was a matter for the military to weigh in, not him.
Below is the full transcript of the televised portion of the meeting:
Note: This transcript presents what Putin said and as he said - it may contain a selective view of information to argue Russia’s case for its invasion of Ukraine. Russia refers to the Russia-Ukraine War as a special military operation and the Government of Ukraine as "Kiev regime".
Putin: Good afternoon, dear colleagues!
The topic of our meeting today is the situation in Russia's border regions: Bryansk, Belgorod, and Kursk.
An assessment of the ongoing events must undoubtedly be made, and this will be done. But the main focus now is on addressing the urgent tasks at hand based on current developments and the forecasts for the situation.
The primary task lies with the Ministry of Defense: to push out, and drive the enemy out of our territories and, along with with the Border Service, to ensure the reliable protection of our state border.
The Federal Security Service, together with the National Guard, must execute the counter-terrorism regime and effectively combat enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups. The National Guard also has its own combat missions to fulfill.
Civil agencies are obligated to provide the necessary supplies to the security forces. I won’t list everything, but this certainly includes industry, transportation, construction, medicine, and financial support.
Finally, together with the relevant regional leaders, we must focus on the main task: supporting our people who need help and protection.
Before we move on to work and give the floor to the meeting participants, I would like to add a few more words.
It has now become obvious why the Kyiv (Russia calls it Kiev) regime refused our proposals to return to a peaceful settlement plan, as well as to the proposals of interested and neutral intermediaries.
Apparently—following the will of their Western masters, who are waging war against us through the hands of Ukrainians—the enemy aims to improve its negotiating positions in the future. But what kind of negotiations can there be with people who indiscriminately strike at civilians, at civilian infrastructure, or try to create threats to nuclear energy facilities? What can we even talk about with them?
Secondly, such actions clearly pursue the main military objective, namely—to stop the advance of our troops towards the full liberation of the territories of the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics and the territory of Novorossiya. And what is happening on the front lines? What are the results? The pace of the offensive operations of the Russian Armed Forces, volunteers, and veterans has not only not decreased, but on the contrary, has increased by one and a half times. Our Armed Forces are advancing along the entire front line.
Finally, another clear goal of the enemy is to sow discord, to create divisions within our society, to intimidate people, to destroy the unity and cohesion of Russian society, that is, to strike at the domestic political situation. But here too, there has already been a response from Russian citizens—a unanimous show of support for all those affected, support for the army, and, importantly, an increase in the number of people willing to join our men, the fighters who heroically defend Russia with weapons in hand. The number of people wanting to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense has surged in recent days.
The leaders of the Kyiv regime are not only committing crimes against the Russian people, but they have also essentially embarked on the path of exterminating the Ukrainians themselves, whom they no longer even consider as their own people. The losses of the Ukrainian armed forces have dramatically increased, including among the most combat-trained units and divisions that the enemy is deploying to our borders.
The enemy will undoubtedly receive a worthy response, and all the goals we have set will, without a doubt, be achieved.
Let’s proceed to work. At the beginning of our meeting, I would like to give the floor to the regional leaders.
Let’s start with the Bryansk region. Please.
Bogomaz (Bryansk Governor): Mr President!
Today, the situation in the Bryansk region can be described as stable, much like it was a month ago. We see a constant number of shelling incidents—about 80-90 per week.
However, I want to note that we are seeing an increase in attacks on civilians. For instance, on the previous day, August 9, out of 22 shelling incidents, 11 targeted civilians, their homes, vehicles, and buses. We are compensating for all damages from the regional budget.
We are not relocating people at this time. Our security block analyzes the situation, and we have collectively decided that relocation is not yet necessary. However, we are working with residents and always offer them the option to temporarily relocate if they are afraid. So far, no one has opted to leave. This work is ongoing, and our interaction with all security structures is well-coordinated.
In terms of counter-terrorist operations, we have prepared temporary accommodation points for 1,576 people and can expand to more than 32,000 if needed. Based on the experience of the Kursk region, we have relocated all temporary accommodation points more than 50 kilometers away.
The Ministry of Defense has set tasks, and [Deputy Minister for Construction and Regional Development] Marat Khusnullin holds meetings with us. We are ready and mobilized, and we are on it. Any issues we had raised —funding, corrugated sheets — have been resolved.
Putin: Thank you.
Let me say this: it is obvious to us, as I have already mentioned, that the enemy will continue trying to destabilize the situation in the border area to stir up the domestic political situation in our country. Therefore, if the situation in the Bryansk region is relatively calm today, it does not mean that it will remain the same tomorrow.
I ask you to pay close attention to this in collaboration with the security forces and the headquarters being created by the Federal Security Service with the support of the National Guard. All issues that need to be discussed and prepared for any development of the situation should be addressed in advance with the Russian Emergency Ministry.
Fine?
A. Bogomaz: Fine.
Putin: Agreed.
Please, Belgorod region.
Gladkov (Belgorod Governor): Good afternoon, Mr President!
Dear colleagues!
Recently, the situation in the city of Belgorod has improved compared to the first quarter of 2024, with only two rocket attacks using cluster munitions. However, the situation in the border areas has sharply deteriorated, with a significant increase in shelling using artillery, mortars, MLRS, and drone attacks.
The number of destroyed or damaged homes has significantly increased. Over the past 2.5 years, more than 30,000 homes and apartments have been damaged, and we have restored 25,000. Unfortunately, the situation along the border does not allow us to carry out extensive repairs. The most difficult situation is in Shebekino, a city of 38,000 people in a district of 85,000.
In 2024, nearly 300 people were injured, and 36 were killed. We face three to five attacks per day, primarily from artillery and MLRS, with three to five homes damaged daily—windows, roofs, everything is affected. Although we don’t have detailed statistics, we estimate that about 50-70% of Shebekino’s population has left, and social tension in the city is growing because we cannot guarantee safety.
We are placing people in temporary shelters. In 2022, we established 17,000 places, and currently, we have 2,100 people in temporary shelters in the region and another 1,000 outside the region. After today’s events, we relocated about 10,000 people in the Krasnoyaruzhsky district, and we’ve added 1,500 places to the temporary shelters.
According to your decision, we now have the capacity to house up to 6,500 people outside the Belgorod region, for those with minor injuries or damaged homes. Currently, 2,800 people are housed in these shelters. In line with your direction, 5,500 children have been evacuated, with about 15,000 people evacuated during the summer. This work will continue. The situation is particularly severe in Shebekino, Krasnaya Yaruga, Grayvoron, parts of Belgorod district, Borisovsky district, and Valuysky district.
We are very grateful for your decision regarding the relocation of 12,000 people from those settlements that are now effectively closed. However, in other areas under daily shelling, we see the threat of approaching winter and lack the ability to restore electricity and other essential services because of enemy attacks. We cannot access these areas safely, and the situation will worsen significantly as winter approaches. This situation affects about 115,000 people in the border areas.
I also wanted to ask about the issue of destroyed houses —people are left with mortgage obligations. Mortgage holidays are only granted for six months by the banks, but it is physically impossible to rebuild a house or apartment within that time. I think it would be fair to write off the mortgage with subsequent housing provision through existing programs.
Today’s situation in Krasnaya Yaruga—hopefully, with cooperation between all security forces, especially the Ministry of Defense and the Border Service, we will resolve the current situation and return people to their homes tomorrow, except for three settlements, primarily Kolotilovka, which is still under constant shelling, and we will make a decision on its evacuation and provision of housing. This option was provided for under previous decisions of the Russian Government and your decision.
That’s all.
Putin: Thank you.
Denis Manturov.
Manturov (First Deputy Prime Minister): Yes.
Putin: Please, go ahead and comment. We have already discussed some of these issues briefly. Go ahead.
Manturov: Yes, Mr President, thank you very much.
Regarding the Kursk region, we are in daily contact with Alexei Smirnov. Reports are coming in from all departments that have established their headquarters, primarily concerning federal emergency services, the Ministry of Emergency Situations. All evacuation work to temporary accommodation points is being carried out.
As per your decision, payouts are being provided, and a one-time payment of 10,000 rubles per person is being made. Today, we provided clarification on the difference between payments under the emergency regime—10,000 rubles and 15,000 rubles. All necessary measures are being taken, and we are keeping everything under control.
The same applies to Rosseti (power supply company). There are constant damages to transformers, causing power outages. Rosseti promptly goes out to the areas where it is safe. Where it is not possible, power is rerouted. I recently reported to you on the situation in Kurchatov.
Mr President, all other issues are under control, and we are working closely with the region. Thank you.
Putin: Now, Gladkov just raised several issues: regarding mortgages and some other matters. Can you respond to these now?
Manturov: Concerning the Belgorod region. I can say that a decision has been made and supported by you for the Kursk region regarding a moratorium on mortgage payments and consumer loans. All banks have already started working on this, including Sberbank, VTB, and all other banking institutions that provided loans to residents of the Kursk region. We will work on this promptly for the Belgorod region as well.
Putin: Yes, this must definitely be done.
Marat Khusnullin.
Khusnullin (Deputy Minister for Construction and Regional Development): Mr President, we will prepare this decision—it is absolutely fair, and it should immediately be extended to the Belgorod, Kursk, and potentially Bryansk regions if such cases arise. We will work on the appropriate decisions with Denis Manturov and report to you.
Putin: Good.
Gladkov, please formalize this as a document.
Gladkov: Understood.
Putin: Thank you.
Please, Kursk region. Alexei Smirnov.
Smirnov: Good afternoon, Mr President!
Dear colleagues!
The situation in the region is currently challenging. At present, 28 settlements are under enemy control. The depth of penetration into the Kursk region is 12 kilometers, and the front width is 40 kilometers.
Putin: Listen, Alexei, the military department will report to us on the width and depth of what there. You are here to tell us about the socio-economic situation and report on assistance provided to people.
Smirnov: We have 28 settlements in this zone, with about two thousand people whose fate is currently unknown.
Additionally, the number of drone and missile attacks has increased significantly during this time. A total of 194 missiles and drones have been directed at the region, with 147 of them intercepted. A missile hit a residential nine-story building, injuring 13 people; and just two days ago, there was an explosion above the regional administration building at night while we were all at work.
Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov has arrived to coordinate actions. Coordination has been established with all security forces.
As you instructed, we divided the relocation of people into two stages. The first stage involves four districts within a 10-kilometer zone and the complete relocation of the Sudzhansky and Korenevsky districts. On the 8th, all six border districts, along with two additional districts—Bolshesoldatsky and Lgovsky, which border the nuclear power plant—began the relocation. In total, this affects 180,000 people. So far, 121,000 people have been evacuated, with work continuing for the remaining 59,000. In addition to our services and federal agencies, volunteers, the "Young Guard," and community watch groups are involved.
Currently, 53,000 places have been set up in temporary accommodation centers, including 20,000 places in Moscow (thanks to Sergey Semyonovich for staying in constant contact). In other regions of Russia, there are 25,000 places available. We have 2,400 mobile places at the station provided by Russian Railways. In total, there are 106 temporary accommodation centers housing 7,524 people, including 1,083 children. We have reserves, including a camp from the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) with 10,000 places from the Russian State Reserve, and an additional 10,000 places are being prepared in Moscow. Psychologists from the Russian EMERCOM, local schools, and legal aid services are working in each center.
Humanitarian aid is being distributed around the clock. Currently, there are 10,000 daily rations, 28,000 weekly food kits, and 112,000 liters of water available. On the way are 13,000 more daily rations, 260,000 liters of water, and 148,000 food kits. There are no problems in this area. Additionally, there is plenty of humanitarian aid from residents, so there is no shortage.
Regarding medical services, 1,912 beds are available. Moreover, a 100-bed hospital from the FMBA and a 100-bed hospital from the Ministry of Health have been set up. There are 108 ambulance teams, 61 of which are working in the border areas, along with air ambulance services. The supply of medicines and blood is sufficient. We continue to collect blood as needed, and there are no issues in this area. A total of 422 doctors have arrived in the Kursk region, with 436 local doctors and 840 nurses working.
There have been 12 civilian casualties and 121 injuries, including 10 children. A call center operates 24/7, along with all possible information points and reception desks at the administration. During this time, we have received 35,000 inquiries from citizens. We are making payments of 10,000 rubles, and the funds have been received by 2,100 citizens, though 46,700 applications have been submitted. We have worked with the Ministry of Digital Development to enable automatic processing of up to 1,000 applications per hour from this morning, so this issue is being resolved.
Funds have been allocated for relocating people from the border areas under fire to support 300 families. So far, 131 applications have been processed, with people selecting housing, certificates issued, and work continuing. A decision has been made—thank you very much—for a moratorium on the payment of utilities and loan interest. Emergency teams have been established, all services are operational, and we are also addressing the damage to industrial enterprises and agricultural producers. Just this morning, a team was dispatched. Two days ago, a Rosseti team failed to restore power in the Belovsky district on their first attempt, as they came under fire, including shells with chemical weapons. They took shelter in the local police department; everyone survived, but both police officers and the head of the village council were poisoned. Today, however, the transformer has been repaired with the support of the Russian National Guard, and the head of the Center's regional network company personally oversaw the work. Half of the district now has power, including the pig farm.
We have also begun carrying out the Ministry of Defense's task of constructing 90 platoon strongpoints, involving 350 units of equipment and up to 5,000 workers. We are in constant communication with First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Marat Khusnullin, the Ministry of Construction, and the Ministry of Transport.
Additionally, we have dug 40 kilometers of anti-tank trenches out of the planned 46 kilometers, with the work nearing completion. We have also begun setting up 40 checkpoints. The counter-terrorism operation (CTO) regime was introduced at 11 PM on August 9th of this year. We are working with the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Issues: The main problem for us, given that there is no clear frontline, is understanding where the combat units are located. Volunteers are working, constantly trying to evacuate people. We have received requests from relatives for 3,500 people. Two volunteers have gone missing, and a community watch group ended up in a sabotage and reconnaissance group's operating zone, but they managed to evacuate about 2,000 people in recent days. Work continues. It is crucial to know where the enemy is at any given moment.
Regarding the payments of 10,000 and 15,000 rubles: thank you very much for resolving this issue. People were concerned whether these were the same or different payments. Now we can reassure them. Thank you very much, Vladimir Vladimirovich, for the decision. We will assess the damages later.
We are currently facing a problem: settlements and district centers have become deserted. Of course, they are now occupied by military units, but not everyone is leaving, as the relocation is not mandatory, so shops continue to operate. We were forced to ban the sale of alcohol and are monitoring for cases of looting.
There is, of course, the danger that sabotage groups are operating in our uniforms, in our vehicles, with our documents, so we are increasing patrols. Moscow has helped by sending us 1,000 personnel from a state-owned enterprise. We are now waiting for reinforcements from the Ministry of Transport, along with our community watch group to guard railway bridges and roads.
That said, we do hope that this issue will be solved so that they can be armed, just as was the case with Moscow. We have received 1,200 applications. Currently, up to 500 people are involved in shift work daily.
That concludes my report. I am ready to answer any questions. Thank you.
