VIDEO: 'We Could Have Responded in the Same Way, But...': Putin on Ukrainian Shellings

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed gratitude to the residents of the Belgorod region for their courage and promised to do everything possible to support the people.

"The primary task is to ensure security. There are various measures, they are not easy, but we will do it," he stated during a meeting with his aides.

He noted that Russia could have responded to the adversary in the same way, which has been targeting civilian infrastructure, but Moscow has its own plans.

The Belgorod region has recently been subjected to massive shelling by the Ukrainian armed forces. Over the past week, 16 people have died and 98 have been injured due to the shelling.