Vladimir Putin at a video conference with the Russian Security Council in the Kremlin (archive image). © GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/AFP
A supposed radio address by Vladimir Putin is causing a stir in Russia. The Kremlin described the speech as "fake" and said the broadcasters had been hacked.
Moscow - In three Russian regions near the border, radio stations have apparently issued an alleged emergency speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Now the Kremlin has called this speech "fake". The Rostov, Belgorod and Voronezh regions were affected. Putin was apparently heard declaring martial law in response to an alleged "invasion" of Russia by Ukrainian forces.
"All these messages were a single fake," the official Russian news agency RIA quoted presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Monday. Accordingly, several radio stations had broadcast the contribution. In it, the alleged Putin had specifically announced that Ukrainian soldiers had invaded the Russian regions of Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk. Residents were advised to "evacuate deep into Russia." It was also said that a "general mobilization" would take place in the country.
Russian radio stations hacked? Kremlin calls Putin's speech "fake"
The regional government in Voronezh confirmed on Telegram that there had been a hack and that the local radio stations were all under official control. Officials in the Belgorod region also attributed the transfer to hackers who wanted to "sow panic" and stressed that there was "nothing to worry about." According to the TASS news agency, Peskov also said that it was a "hack".
The government in Kiev has so far denied having crossed the border with soldiers. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a Ukrainian attempt to enter Belgorod province was repelled on Sunday. More than ten Ukrainian fighters were killed, RIA reported, citing the ministry. On Sunday, a pro-Ukrainian group made up of Russian fighters said it had captured several soldiers during a raid in Belgorod and would hand them over to Ukrainian authorities. (fmü/Reuters)
