MOSCOW, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Displaced residents of Russia's Kursk region will be able to return home safely despite ongoing challenges, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday during his visit to the region.
The president assured that citizens that have been temporarily displaced following Ukraine's incursion into the region would return home, noting that it is important to ensure security by demining populated areas, local media reported Wednesday, citing the Russian leader during a meeting with local officials.
During his work visit on Tuesday, Putin met with representatives from volunteer organizations and held a meeting with acting governor of the Kursk region Alexander Khinshtein. The Russian leader also toured the construction site of Kursk-2 nuclear power plant (NPP) and met with municipal leaders.
The president backed a proposal to extend the special economic zone to the entire Kursk region. He also approved funds to restore damaged homes in the region, and agreed to continue monthly payments to citizens who have been temporarily displaced.
"We have shown the whole world ... and primarily ourselves that we are a united people. In times of hardship, this unity becomes especially clear," Putin said.
In August 2024, the Ukrainian army launched an offensive into Russia's southern Kursk region. On April 26, Putin announced that Russia had regained full control of the region. ■
