MOSCOW REGION. Jan 16 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian forces attack Russian border regions to divert attention from the failure of their "counteroffensive," Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"One of the main objectives of strikes of this kind is to divert the attention of their own population and sponsors from the complete and utter failure of their so-called counteroffensive," he said at a meeting with the heads of municipalities in Russia's constituent territories.
Putin described the Ukrainian authorities' attempts to "show their people and their sponsors, who provide money, weapons and ammunition, that they are able to respond to Russia's actions" as another goal of such strikes.