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Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the establishment of a “security buffer zone” along the Russia–Ukraine border.

Getting into it: While speaking during a televised meeting with government officials, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia’s military is actively working to establish a “security buffer zone” along the border with Ukraine. “I have already said that a decision was made to create the necessary security buffer zone along the border. Our armed forces are currently solving this problem. Enemy firing points are being actively suppressed, the work is underway,” Putin said.

He justified the move as a defensive necessity, accusing Ukraine and foreign fighters of deliberately targeting civilians and non-military infrastructure. “Typically, the adversary selects targets that hold no military importance — civilian structures, residential buildings and civilians. Recent incidents serve as proof of my assertions — during drone attacks and sabotage missions, civilian vehicles, including ambulances and farm equipment, are deliberately targeted,” he claimed. Putin also stressed the need to restore and rebuild areas damaged by the war, saying it is important to “help people return to their native villages, settlements, (and) where security conditions allow, restore all transport and other infrastructure.”

Ukraine, however, denounced the buffer zone initiative as an overt act of aggression. Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi responded, saying that the plan was “aggressive” and demonstrated that “Russia is the obstacle of peace efforts now.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed this stance in a statement on X, noting that while a tentative prisoner exchange had been agreed upon, Russia’s military actions contradicted any genuine desire for peace.

This comes as the situation on the battlefield remains tense, with both sides suffering significant losses. According to President Trump, the losses on both sides are exceeding 5,000 a week, which averages out to 30 soldiers being killed every hour.