Russia

Putin describes attempt to defeat Russia in 40 days as another provocative move

TASS English · 2026-08-22

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Ukraine's recent attempts to defeat Russia within a 40-day timeframe, labeling it a provocative move that expired on August 5, and acknowledged the economic damage caused by the attacks. • Why it matters: Putin's comments highlight the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the potential implications for regional stability and security, particularly with upcoming parliamentary elections in Russia. • What to watch next: Observers should monitor the developments in the conflict, including any further military actions from both sides and the impact on civilian areas, as well as the political ramifications within Russia and Ukraine.

Putin describes attempt to defeat Russia in 40 days as another provocative move The president said the 40-day deadline expired on August 5MOSCOW, August 22. /TASS/. Ukraine’s attempt to defeat Russia in 40 days by carrying out massive drone and missile attacks is a risky and provocative move, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Vesti journalist Pavel Zarubin in an interview. "If we speak about what is happening now, then it is, of course, a result of a yet another provocative and risky move by the Kiev regime and its Western curators, who aimed to deal another strategic defeat to Russia," he said. "This time, as it is known, they wanted to achieve this in 40 days, and with the help of massive missile and drone attacks on our civilian sites and logistical routes." The president said the 40-day deadline expired on August 5. He admitted that the strikes are causing certain economic damage and losses. "But still, the final result was directly opposite to what the enemy was expecting," he added. TagsForeign policyVladimir PutinIN BRIEF: Putin comments on Kiev’s provocative moves and Russia’s retaliatory strikesThe enemy is trying to intimidate Russians and disrupt the upcoming parliamentary elections, due in September, but these attempts will fail, the president said Read moreCroatian court rules to place in custody Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream sabotageGermany is seeking his extraditionRead moreRussia conducting 'surgical operation' in Ukraine to avoid harming civilians — TASS chiefAndrey Kondrashov said the Russian forces avoid causing completely unjustified civilian casualtiesRead moreEight detained for attempting to launch drone attack on strategic plant near Moscow — FSBOne of the accomplices put up armed resistance during the arrest and was neutralizedRead moreMusk agrees that state debt of $50 trillion will be critical for USEarlier this week, the US state debt exceeded record $40 trillionRead morePolish prime minister defends Nord Stream sabotage — TVDonald Tusk opined that those who built the pipeline should be held accountable, not those who destroyed itRead moreDry cargo ship carrying weapons hit in port of ChernomorskMoreover, seven fuel storage tanks were hit, the Russian Defense Ministry saidRead moreDeaths of ‘Iranian leaders’ hindering deal with US — TrumpThe US leader emphasized that Washington was successfully achieving its goals in the conflict with IranRead morePerm industrial facility comes under attack: 325 drones target Russian regionsOn-duty air defense systems intercepted Ukrainian UAVs over 16 Russian regionsRead moreZaporozhye NPP has sufficient safety margin amid Ukraine’s attacks — Russian diplomatRodion Miroshnik said it does not mean Russia should ease the pressure on the Ukrainian side and its sponsorsRead moreDeath toll from Colombia earthquake rises to 329The latest government assessment reveals that the earthquake completely destroyed over 31,000 homes and damaged another 171,273 buildingsRead moreRussian stock market ends week with main indices upThe yuan exchange rate against the ruble added 1 kopeck to 12.33 rublesRead moreMoscow region targeted with more than 2,500 enemy drones over past week — mayorAs many as 493 drones were destroyed on the approach to Moscow, the mayor of the Russian capital Sergey Sobyanin addedRead moreIsrael could cease to exist after the Middle East conflict — senior Russian officerApty Alaudinov says Israel’s objective is to drag both the US and the entire NATO bloc into the struggleRead moreRussian military to take note of Blinken’s remarks on Ukrainian counteroffensive — KremlinIt was reported earlier that the US Secretary of State said Ukraine could start a counteroffensive in the next few weeksRead moreTwo killed, 13 others injured in enemy attacks on Russia’s Belgorod Region in past dayTwo of them are in critical condition, Governor Alexander Shuvayev saidRead moreRussian forces strike two trains transporting military cargo in UkraineThe Russian defense ministry published footage of Geran drones hitting two rail locomotivesRead moreCIA has ‘no alibi’ over Nord Stream 2 — PutinWhen asked who blew up the pipelines during interview with Tucker Carlson, the Russian leader replied with a laughter: ‘You for sure’Read moreUkrainian Abrams tank hit by Russian Upyr FPV drone in Avdeyevka areaIt was the third Abrams tank to be struck near AvdeyevkaRead moreRomania records highest fuel price increase in EU over past yearThe average fuel price increase across the European Union was 16.9%Read moreTrump believes Democrats will impeach him if they win congressional electionsDonald Trump is the first president in US history to face two impeachment proceedingsRead moreDiplomat calls West’s silence on Kiev’s nuclear terrorism 'strange'The Zaporozhye NPP has been without an external power supply for over a day due to the shutdown of the last 330 kV high-voltage power supply lineRead moreNord Stream situation brings losses to Berlin, dangerous dizziness to Warsaw — spokeswomanMaria Zakharova commented on Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s remarks justifying the terrorist attack against the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelinesRead moreBelarus moves to close its embassy in Finland early next monthThe decision comes into effect, starting from September 1, 2026Read moreFirst South Korean container ship departs on journey via Northern Sea RouteThe entire mission is expected to take 45 daysRead moreIN BRIEF: Kremlin on Putin’s work schedule, Polish PM’s justification of terrorist attacksRussian President Vladimir Putin is to hold an in-person operational meeting of the Russian Security CouncilRead moreRussian military keeps attaining special op’s goals, accelerate offensive — PutinThe Russian armed forces keep successfully coping with their tasks until the goals of the special military operation are achieved, Russian President saidRead moreRussia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesmanAccording to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold Read moreDeath toll in drone attack on South Russia’s Yeysk district rises to threeA person wounded in the recent drone attack on residential buildings in south Russia’s Yeysk district on the Azov Sea coast, has died in hospitalRead moreSinner withdraws from US OpenThe Italian withdrew from the Masters 1000 tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati ahead of the US Open because of a right knee injuryRead moreRussian diplomat points to increasing terror against Serbians in KosovoMaria Zakharova described the developments as all the more outrageous because local self-government bodies in Pristina that claim the status of legitimate authorities are implicated in this terrorRead moreWarsaw moving closer to control of Kiev’s Soviet-era gas transit system — spokeswomanMaria Zakharova noted that Warsaw is benefiting from re-exporting US liquefied natural gas to UkraineRead morePutin says Russia developing despite all difficultiesRussia launches large-scale projects for economic growth, development in the social sphere and improvement of the quality of public administration and defense capabilities, Russian President saidRead moreKiev should beg Moscow for peace to save Ukraine — former Zelensky spokespersonYulia Mendel said this is now a matter of the country’s "survival"Read moreRussian diplomat warns about catastrophic consequences of Ukraine’s attacks on ZNPPBoth the ZNPP’s territory and its satellite city of Energodar regularly come under Ukraine’s attacksRead moreSeveral injured in attack at school in Sweden — TVPolice and emergency services were called to the sceneRead moreIN BRIEF: Novak’s directives on supplying Russian fuel market and refineries’ repairsTASS has compiled the key takeaways from the meeting chaired by the Russian deputy prime ministerRead moreLavrov sees West fighting against Russia, using `bodies’ of Ukrainian regimeThe West is being busy pumping the Kiev regime with weapons, Russian Foreign Minister saidRead moreNetanyahu’s office slams Turkey’s int’l arrest warrant for him as intimidation attemptThe prime minister’s office also reiterated Israel’s previous accusations against Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him "an antisemitic dictator who has massacred Kurds"Read moreToo early to discuss reduction in threat of merchant ship seizures — KremlinDmitry Peskov commented on whether the Kremlin has observed a decline in threats to maritime tradeRead moreGermany’s top diplomat arrives in Kiev on unannounced visitJohann Wadephul's agenda includes meetings to discuss assistance to Ukraine and bilateral cooperation in securityRead morePress review: US tightens Iran pressure while Russia expands nuclear power projects abroadTop stories from the Russian press on Friday, August 21stRead moreIsrael must seize Gaza, set up Jewish settlements there — Israeli finance ministerBezalel Smotrich criticized US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, which provides for the establishment of international forces to ensure security in the enclaveRead moreFyodorov launches all-out war against Zelensky, his entourage — publicationDespite these aggressive efforts, the publication indicated that the former Ukrainian defense minister can expect resistance from his opponentsRead morePowerful blast occurs in weapons depot in Libya’s Misrata — mediaMeasures are being taken to ensure security in the areaRead moreTrump says the US, Mexico beginning work on a new trade dealThe US leader also announced that the US had "largely" reached agreements with Canada on trade issuesRead moreIranian parliament speaker calls for refusing from US dollars in tradeMohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stressed that the use of US dollars in trade as an outdated method of paymentsRead moreRussia open to dialogue with US, refuses to sacrifice its principled positions — diplomatRussian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed the importance whether "Washington can influence the decisions of the Kiev regime and its European sponsors"Read moreUkrainian attacks in Russia’s Kursk region kill one, injure six — governorIn the village of Peschanoye in the Belaya District, a 69-year-old man was killed, Alexander Khinshtein saidRead moreFinland closes border with Russia to prepare for military conflict — war correspondentClaims that Russia is waging some kind of hybrid war against Finland using Middle Eastern migrants are absolute nonsense, Kosti Heiskanen saidRead moreIEA chief compares situation surrounding Strait of Hormuz to broken vaseFatih Birol said the volume of transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which stood at around 25 mln barrels per day prior to February 2026, had fallen to roughly 15 mlnRead moreRussian forces strike Ukrainian military airfield, energy facilities over past dayRussian air defenses downed 11 glide bombs and 1,053 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over the past dayRead moreVon der Leyen pushing EU toward war with Russia — Finnish politicianArmando Mema said the European Commission president tends to baselessly accuse Russia of violating the airspace of European countriesRead moreRussian Emergencies Ministry firefighting plane suppresses major wildfires in SerbiaThe crew’s efforts have proved highly effectiveRead moreOzon evacuates more than 500 staff amid drone attack on its warehouse in Samara RegionA fire ensued as a result of the attackRead moreThree civilians killed in Ukrainian drone attacks on DPR during dayAccording to the DPR’s head Denis Pushilin, two residential houses and six civilian infrastructure facilities were damagedRead moreRussia’s Iskander missiles destroy up to 40 trucks modified for UAV launches near KievThroughout the day, the Russian armed forces continued to strike drone launch sites, as well as ships and seaports used by the Ukrainian military, the Russian Defense Ministry saidRead moreWest welcome to join work on Eurasian security without connivance with Brussels — LavrovCountries across entire Eurasia are invited to take part in efforts to build a continental security architecture, Russian Foreign Minister emphasizedRead moreFour injured in drone attack on Ozon logistics center in Russia’s Samara regionOf them, one is in critical condition after jumping out of a window on the second floorRead moreRussian troops liberate 11 communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brassRussian troops delivered one massive and nine combined strikes by precision-guided weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, logistics centers and cruise missile launch sites over the weekRead moreIran’s Navy to continue defending country's interests in Strait of Hormuz — commanderRear Admiral Shahram Irani said the Navy has a strong presence in the straitsRead moreRussian forces strike Darnitsa locomotive depot in Kiev — top brassRussian forces also struck the Brovary logistics center, a major sorting facility of Nova Poshta, where components for UAVs were stored, in an attack on the Kiev RegionRead moreCarolyn Rodrigues-Birkett leads voting for UN secretary general post, poll showsEight Security Council members backed Rodrigues-Birkett’s continued participation, three opposed it and four expressed no opinionRead morePutin adamant upcoming Duma election will reaffirm nation’s sustainabilityRussian President said that the upcoming election also will reaffirm the maturity of russian political systemRead moreRussia waits for appropriate int’l reactions to disruption of IAEA chief’s visit to ZNPPRussian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik said that Kiev is openly embarking on a path of undermining the system of radiation and nuclear safetyRead moreNew mobilization rules forcing Ukrainians into servitude, driving them to front — diplomatMaria Zakharova stressed that Ukrainian leaders offered no explanation to ordinary people about how they are supposed to surviveRead moreLarry the Cat dismisses death rumors with iconic Mark Twain quoteEarlier, the Politics UK account posted a message claiming that Larry had passed awayRead moreMore than 2,500 people die from Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo — authoritiesThe outbreak, which began in the DRC and Uganda on May 15, has already become the second-deadliest in the history of Ebola outbreaks in AfricaRead moreKazatomprom agrees on uranium supplies to Russia, ChinaAn agreement on uranium supply has been reached with the Russian company Uranium One Group, part of the Rosatom management structureRead moreNew meeting of Coalition of Willing to take place on Monday — Elysee PalaceThe previous meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing was held in Paris on July 13Read moreIndia expects to boost ties with Moscow during top diplomat’s visit — sourceSpeaking about Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s planned meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, the government source said that along with bilateral issues, the top diplomats will also "discuss geopolitical, international and regional topics"Read moreRussian forces hit Ukrainian naval patrol boat in port of ChernomorskThroughout the day, the Russian Armed Forces continued to strike ports and ships being used in the interests of the Ukrainian militaryRead moreUkraine will lose war due to Zelensky’s "wild illusions" — former spokespersonYulia Mendel believes that "the front will be moving in Russian favour against the backdrop of a collapsing economy, democracy, and political crisis"Read moreHouthis attack Tihama again during rescue operationOne member of the rescue team was injuredRead moreUkraine lacks over $36 billion in funding from Western partnersKiev acknowledges that the country has completely exhausted its domestic resources, making it increasingly difficult to raise fundsRead moreIran to look at lifting restrictions on Iraqi tankers in Hormuz StraitIraqi parliament speaker Haibat al-Halbousi asked the Iranian authorities to grant Iraq a "special status" regarding oil exports via the Strait of HormuzRead moreMFA raises concern over illegal actions of foreign law enforcement agencies in RussiaAccording to Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the amendments were needed to prevent unfriendly countries from interfering in Russia's internal affairsRead moreGerman politician warns against further escalating Ukrainian conflictSahra Wagenknecht noted that German technologies and German money are used to attack MoscowRead moreKiev’s attacks increasingly barbaric amid worsening front line situation for it — PutinThe special military operation is ongoing, Russian President saidRead moreKiev forces shell populated areas of Donetsk People's Republic 40 times over past 24 hoursTwo residential buildings, six civilian infrastructure facilities, special equipment and trucks, as well as cars and a passenger minibus, were damagedRead moreNo need for new constitutional amendments now — presidential envoyGarry Minkh ecalled that the 2020 amendments were aimed at protecting Russian national interests and strengthening sovereigntyRead moreNational debt worth $50 trillion threatens US as early as 2029 — expertIlya Grashchenkov also said the $50 trillion mark itself is not a threshold beyond which the US economy would automatically collapseRead morePress review: Ukraine crisis nears peak as Israel-Turkey tensions rise over SyriaTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 20thRead moreRussian strike brings Ukrainian industrial site in Brovary near Kiev offline — top brassThe facility was struck by Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade VaryagRead moreCuba to withstand US pressure — Fidel Castro’s grandsonFidel Antonio Castro Smirnov said that Cuba’s experience has demonstrated the importance of "international solidarity, diversification of ties, and the ability of countries to support each other"Read moreTurkey’s NATO membership does not protect its servicemen in Syria — Israeli expertShay Gal pointed out that on August 18, Israel "allegedly struck Syria's Abu al-Duhur air base before Turkish forces arrived"Read moreExperts forecast gold prices rising to $5,000 amid inflation, central banks’ demandThe ongoing conflict between the US and Iran is driving up oil prices, which is a significant pro-inflationary factorRead moreRussian deputy premier names main sources for dealing with fuel shortages in RussiaRussia expects to resolve its fuel shortage issue by importing more and producing lower-class fuel, Alexander Novak said Read moreTrump frames upcoming midterms as battle to defeat communists who he says never laughUS President said he has never seen a happy communistRead moreOve 300 filling station damaged in Ukraine — energy ministerReports of damaged gas stations are coming in from various regions of Ukraine almost dailyRead moreTen African countries step up border controls due to Ebola in Democratic Republic of CongoThe six-month program includes plans to assess border service readiness, conduct drills, and develop response plans in the event that cases are detectedRead moreTop Iranian diplomat compares threat of US sanctions to movie already seen many timesAbbas Araghchi stated that all of these threats "failed"Read moreBattlegroup North artillery destroys Kiev forces positions,militants — platoon commanderUnits of the Battlegroup North, advancing simultaneously along several fronts, continue to expand the security zone in the Sumy and Kharkov regionsRead moreRussian skating duo Shesheleva, Karnaukhov win final gold medal at ISU Juniors Grand PrixThe Russian figure skaters scored a total of 191.84 pointsRead moreBering Strait tunnel project requires massive infrastructure development — senator"The implementation of the ambitious Bering Strait tunnel concept will be, without exaggeration, a major technological milestone of the 21st century," Elena Perminova said Read moreRussian figure skater Lazarev wins men’s singles at ISU Junior Grand Prix in ChinaHe scored 250.21 pointsRead moreTrump says he would be happy if allowed to run for third presidential termDonald Trump won the presidency for a second time in November 2024, defeating Democratic candidate Kamala HarrisRead moreIndian foreign minister to arrive on two-day visit to Russia on Sunday — diplomatic agencyAccording to a press release, during the visit, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will also meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and "exchange perspectives on regional and global issues."Read moreUS, Brazilian presidents call for soonest settlement of conflict in UkraineAccording to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's press service, the Brazilian president also drew attention of his US counterpart to the need for discussing a reform of the United Nations and its Security CouncilRead moreTwo die after Ukraine’s attack on minibus in DPRFour more people were woundedRead moreUS allies unsure of Washington’s ability to defend them if necessary — newspaperThe newaspaper noted that military operation against Iran had depleted US arsenals and "laid bare the limits of American hard power"Read more

Source: TASS English
RELATED NEWS

More Stories

All News
Russia

Magnitude 5.9 earthquake rattles Tokyo area

• What happened: A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the Ibaraki prefecture near Tokyo, Japan, triggering a nationwide alert system and causing furniture to shake...

Russia

Fake news on Armenian NPP aimed at undermining ties with Russia — diplomat

• What happened: The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned foreign media reports alleging safety threats from the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant in Armenia, labeling...

Russia

Russian military strikes trains delivering military cargo in two regions of Ukraine

• What happened: Russian military strikes targeted trains delivering military cargo in the Kharkov and Dnepropetrovsk regions of Ukraine, utilizing Geran drones...

Russia

Russia’s oldest resident seeks medical care after minor trauma

• What happened: Yakha Khashagova, Russia's oldest resident at 120 years old, sought medical care for a wrist injury sustained from a fall, but her conditi...

Russia

Israeli settlers kill Palestinian teenager in occupied West Bank

• What happened: A 17-year-old Palestinian teenager, Karim Sanad Shalaldeh, was shot and killed by Israeli settlers near Hebron in the occupied West Bank, while...

Russia

ICE arrested the ‘worst of the worst.’ Washington made sure he walked free

• What happened: Armando Fernandez Larios, a Chilean intelligence veteran involved in the 1976 assassination of Orlando Letelier, was arrested by ICE in 2025 bu...