Ankara: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday claimed that Ukraine is retreating along the entire front line and has therefore resorted to what he called "outright terrorist acts."

According to Anadolu Agency, speaking at the United Russia party congress, Putin accused what he described as Western elites of ignoring Ukrainian attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Russia while continuing to impose sanctions on Moscow. He asserted that Russia is successfully resisting efforts to curb the country's development, emphasizing that Russia has enough "strength, resources, and political will" to do so.

Putin stated, "Yes, we see the problems, we acknowledge them, and we are responding. But we will certainly ensure the security of both the country and our citizens and the inviolability of Russia's borders for the long term." He also mentioned the upcoming elections, confirming that voting for the ninth convocation of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, would be held in September as scheduled, "in strict compliance with the law."