MOSCOW/KYIV - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russian armed forces currently maintain full strategic initiative in the area of the special military operation, Kremlin said in a press release Tuesday evening.
Putin made the remarks while meeting with the leaders of the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Armed Forces and commanders of troop groups in the special military operation zone in St Petersburg, according to the Kremlin.
The president said that Russian troops have advanced significantly this year. "Almost 5,000 square kilometers of territory -- 4,900 to be exact -- and 212 settlements have been liberated," he said.
He also praised Russia's defense-industrial complex for ensuring the steady supply of high-precision weapons, ammunition, and military equipment to the armed forces. He said that, along with planned deliveries, new weapons are being developed and sent to the troops ahead of schedule.
ALSO READ: Kremlin slams Europe for fueling Ukraine conflict, says Russia open to talks
Putin said that despite "stubborn resistance," Ukrainian armed forces are retreating along the entire line of contact. He accused Ukraine of attempting to strike deep into Russia at completely peaceful targets.
"Our task is to ensure the security of Russian citizens, strategic facilities, and civilian infrastructure, including energy sites," he added.
Novovoronezh nuclear power plant
A Ukrainian combat drone attempted to attack the Novovoronezh nuclear power plant overnight but was destroyed before causing any damage, Russian authorities said Tuesday.
Plant operator Rosenergoatom said the drone was downed by technical defenses near the facility in the Voronezh region and detonated after hitting the cooling tower of Unit 6, which remains in operation.
"There was no structural damage or casualties," the state nuclear energy company said in a statement, adding that the plant's safety systems were not affected and radiation levels at and around the site remain normal.
READ MORE: 5 killed, 10 injured in Russian attack on Ukraine's infrastructure
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine on the incident, which Rosenergoatom described as "another act of aggression by the Ukrainian armed forces against Russian nuclear power plants."
In the Kherson region, four people were killed and another injured in Ukrainian attacks over the past day, local authorities said.
The victims were killed on a highway in a targeted drone attack on civilian vehicles, said Vladimir Saldo, head of the Kherson region.
The drone strikes also destroyed a gas station and caused a power outage in parts of the region, he added.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that its air defense systems shot down three guided aerial bombs, 16 rockets from US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, and 416 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day.
Russian attacks
Meanwhile, energy and railway infrastructure in two Ukrainian regions came under Russian attacks, Oleksii Kuleba, Ukrainian deputy prime minister, announced on Tuesday.
In the central Poltava region, a locomotive depot, a power supply division and traction substations were hit, Kuleba wrote on Facebook.
An energy facility, administrative buildings, warehouse premises and rolling stock were also damaged.
More than 1,000 households in the city of Poltava and nearby areas were left without power following the strikes.
In the city of Sumy, the attacks caused power outages and damage to residential buildings, according to Kuleba.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that it intercepted 88 out of 152 drones launched by Russia overnight. Meanwhile, 52 other drones and two Iskander M/KN-23 missiles struck 10 locations across the country.
