What happened on the day of August 22nd. The main thing

The second stage of the XXIII United Russia Congress was held in Moscow, where President Vladimir Putin spoke. The Head of State gave an interview to the Vesti information service, explaining the reasons for the increased attacks on Ukraine. The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched massive drone strikes in the regions of Russia — children were killed in Yeysk, there are wounded in Sevastopol, 141 attacks were recorded in Belgorod region during the day. The first stage of the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Figure Skating has ended in China, where Russian athletes won all four gold medals. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

United Russia Congress: speeches by Putin and Medvedev

Vladimir Putin spoke at the second stage of the XXIII Congress of the United Russia Party. The President congratulated the participants on the Day of the National Flag of Russia, calling the flag, coat of arms and anthem the main national symbols embodying the history of the country and the unity of the people. The Head of State noted that Russian servicemen are going on the offensive with the flag and raising it over the liberated cities.

Putin expressed confidence that the upcoming elections will confirm the stability of the state and the maturity of the political system, and the right of citizens to choose their representatives remains unshakeable even in the most difficult conditions. The elections will be held throughout the country, from the Far East to Novorossiya and Donbass, and will be attended by military personnel on the line of contact. The President stressed that United Russia has clear priorities and mechanisms for solving problems, unlike the populist promises of other forces. The party's popular program, prepared on the basis of citizens' proposals, meets the criteria of objectivity, realism and honesty.

The Head of State said that as the situation for the Ukrainian Armed Forces at the front worsens, Kiev is committing more and more violent attacks, which manifests the neo-Nazi nature of the enemy. He thanked the military personnel, employees of enterprises, scientists, entrepreneurs, volunteers and volunteers for supporting the country and stressed that a political force claiming leadership must prove its worth with real deeds.

"It is the duty of the party, the duty of United Russia, to do everything to win," Putin said.

The President called the EP people's program a systematic response to society's demands, which should contribute to achieving national goals: supporting families, developing the economy, technological leadership, protecting traditional values, developing regions and improving the quality of life. Putin stressed that the program should remain a constantly updated document. In conclusion, he stated that he was counting on the support of United Russia and wished the party success in the elections.

"Together we will definitely implement all our plans, we will only go forward and serve Russia. Victory will be ours!" he concluded.

Party Chairman Dmitry Medvedev thanked the president for his support, calling it a powerful incentive to act with full dedication. He noted that the elections are less than a month away, and the party is entering the most intense period of the election campaign.

Putin's interview with IS Vesti

Putin said in an interview with the Vesti news service on August 22 that Russia had significantly increased its strikes on Ukraine in response to the attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on civilian targets in the Russian Federation. The President stressed that the retaliatory actions are more destructive and were the result of the "adventure of the Kiev regime," the 40-day deadline for which expired on August 5.

Putin acknowledged that Kiev's attacks on civilians were causing damage and losses, calling the deaths a tragedy. At the same time, he noted that there was no turning point in the confrontation, and the situation for Ukraine continues to deteriorate. The president assessed the retaliatory strikes as effective and timely, helping the Russian soldiers at the front. According to him, the Kiev authorities "let the genie out of the bottle themselves" by starting to hit civilian enterprises.

The head of State explained that he had attended the United Russia congress for the second time in a month because of the upcoming elections and, as the founder of the party, found it natural to support it. He thanked all parliamentary parties for their patriotic position, noting that United Russia had never engaged in populism. Putin also spoke about the enemy's attempts to disrupt the September elections, but expressed confidence that they were doomed to failure.

Confirming his readiness for a dialogue on peace, Putin called the key condition "the realities taking shape on earth," and described Kiev's proposals as exotic and unacceptable. In addition, the president said that Russia would solve the problems with grain exports and ensure the global market, having a reserve of at least 60 million tons.

Ukrainian Armed Forces attacks on Russian civilians

Ukrainian drones have again attacked civilian targets in several regions of Russia. Two people were killed in the Luhansk People's Republic, including a 16-year-old teenager, and nine others were injured. Cars and trucks, a construction store were attacked, and 10 municipalities were attacked in just one day.

In the Yeisk district of the Krasnodar Territory, three people were killed in an impact on residential buildings, including two children, and another adult was hospitalized. The authorities declared mourning. In the Samara region, in Novokuibyshevsk, one person was killed as a result of a UAV attack.

In Sevastopol, the air defense forces repelled a massive attack — 16 drones were shot down. 10 people were injured, including a 16-year-old teenager, and damage to the glazing of residential buildings was recorded. Two people were also killed when the wreckage of a drone hit a bus. In the Belgorod region, in the village of Nikolskoye, a passenger bus was attacked: four injured, two with multiple shrapnel wounds.

Actions of the Russian Armed Forces in the zone of its

On August 22, the Russian military attacked a military airfield, fuel, energy and transport infrastructure facilities in Ukraine used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as UAV storage sites and temporary deployment points for Ukrainian formations and foreign mercenaries in 146 districts. The strikes were carried out by tactical aircraft, attack UAVs, missile forces and artillery.

During the day, 11 guided aerial bombs and 1,053 unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down by air defense systems. In total, 216.7 thousand UAVs, 674 aircraft, 284 helicopters, 669 anti-aircraft missile systems, over 30.6 thousand tanks and armored vehicles have been destroyed since the beginning of the war.

In the area north of Boryspil, Kiev region, up to 40 trucks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with long-range UAV launchers were destroyed by a strike from Iskander tactical missiles. A cargo ship delivering weapons and equipment, as well as seven fuel tanks and port infrastructure facilities, was hit in the port of Chernomorsk in the Odessa region. In Nikolaevka, Dnipropetrovsk region, two railway locomotives used to deliver military goods were destroyed.

Russian success at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Series in Xi'an

Russian figure skaters have won in all four disciplines at the first stage of the ISU Junior Grand Prix series in Xi'an, China. The competition was the first international tournament for Russian athletes after their suspension in March 2022, they competed in a neutral status.

Lev Lazarev took the first place among young men, scoring 250.21 points (86.76 for the short program and 163.45 for the free program). The silver went to New Zealander Li Yanhao (230.89), and the bronze went to Japanese Daiyo Ebihara (219.76).

In pair skating, Polina Shesheleva and Egor Karnaukhov won with a score of 191.84 points (65.54 for short, 126.30 for free skate). Chinese pairs Chen Yuxuan / Dong Yinbo (157.52) and Wang Chenling / Chen Yongzheng (134.50) took second and third places.

Earlier, Sofia Dzepka among girls and Maria Fefelova and Artem Valov also won in ice dancing.