Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the situation in four areas of Ukraine that Moscow has declared part of Russia is “extremely difficult.”
Late on Monday — Security Services Day, which is widely celebrated in Russia — he told Russian security agencies operating in Ukraine, in comments translated by Reuters: “Yes, it is difficult for you now. The situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions is extremely difficult.”
In September, a defiant Putin moved to annex some 15% of Ukraine. Kyiv meanwhile renewed calls for more weapons after Russian drones hit energy targets.
