Official announcements from the Russian government or relevant regional authorities

Putin Compares Ukraine's Kursk Incursion to Beslan Massacre Amid Security Concerns Over Dating Apps

Aug 20, 2024, 04:05 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn a controversial comparison between Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region and the 2004 Beslan school massacre, where approximately 330 people died. The Kremlin has advised residents in the Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod regions to avoid using dating apps and CCTV cameras due to security concerns amid the ongoing conflict. Putin met with the Mothers of Beslan, expressing condolences and equating the fight against Islamist terrorists to the current situation in Kursk and Donbas. This statement underscores the lasting impact of the Beslan tragedy and highlights the tensions in the region. The Russian police have issued guidelines for residents regarding information security as part of a special operation. A data-security memo was also distributed.