October 18, 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that, since the beginning of this year, Russian forces have taken control of about 310 towns and an area of approximately 6,500 square kilometers, stressing that the primary goal is to ensure “absolute security” of the Russian border areas.
Putin’s statements, in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, came during an inspection visit to the command center of the Joint Forces Group, where he referred to what he described as the “positive dynamic” of the Russian army’s movements along the line of contact and the continuation of operations on several axes.
Regarding the previous Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Province, the Russian President explained that the military missions were not limited to defeating the Ukrainian forces and removing them from Russian territory, but also extended to establishing a “security zone” in neighboring territories, stressing that this plan is being implemented successfully to achieve absolute border security.
In terms of field developments, Putin announced during the review that Lugansk Province was now completely under the control of the Russian Armed Forces.
