Putin silences Kursk governor mid‑report on Ukrainian advance

Sombre moods prevailed during the Russian president's operational meeting with regional authorities' representatives. At one point, Vladimir Putin interrupted the governor of the Kursk region, who was giving a report, and ordered him to stop talking about the progress of the Ukrainian army.

On Monday, Vladimir Putin held an operational meeting regarding the deteriorating situation in several Russian regions. Members of the Security Council, the government, heads of law enforcement agencies, and the heads of the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions attended.

Commentators noted the not-very-cheery faces of Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, key figures in the power ministries since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine.

But everyone's attention was focused on the report from the Kursk region. Governor Alexei Smirnov began his speech with words that did not please Vladimir Putin.

"The situation in the region is currently complex. 28 settlements are under enemy control. The penetration depth into the Kursk region territory is 11 kilometres, and the width along the front is 40 kilometres," said Alexei Smirnov.

Then Vladimir Putin suddenly interrupted him.

"Listen, Alexei Borisovich, the military department will inform us about the width and depth there. You will tell us about the socio-economic situation and report on helping the people," demanded the President of Russia.

The governor reacted quite nervously, waving his hands, as is clearly seen in the meeting recording. But he continued as Putin demanded.

"We have 28 settlements in this zone; that is about two thousand people, whose fate is unknown," Smirnov said.

He added that the number of attacks using drones and missiles had significantly increased. "194 missiles and drones were fired at the region, 147 were shot down. The attack reached a nine-storey residential building, injuring 13 people," said Smirnov. He also reported on the evacuation of residents from hazardous areas. A total of 121,000 people have been relocated to date.

Much of the information provided by Russian media or government representatives is part of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.