MOSCOW 

In the absence of peace talks, the “special military operation” in Ukraine remains Russia’s only viable option for achieving its objectives, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov noted that reaching any agreements is currently improbable given the ongoing situation in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops launched an incursion on August 6.

While the Russian military plans to drive Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk region, he said the specifics of those military tactics are not made public.

The massive attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Kursk began on Aug. 6, prompting the declaration of a federal emergency in the region. Residents along the border are being evacuated to safer locations.

Regarding the reported agreement between Russia and Ukraine to refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure, which was disclosed earlier on Tuesday by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoygu, Peskov said: "There were no clear agreements. Given the current situation in the Kursk region, it is difficult to imagine reaching any agreements.”

Commenting on Ukraine’s extensive attack on nine Russian regions last night, which involved at least 144 drones, the Kremlin spokesman said: “We must continue the military operation to protect ourselves from such actions.”

When asked about the upcoming debate between US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, Peskov remarked: “We are not planning to watch it. Anticipating such events is not our concern; it is the responsibility of American voters.”

Peskov also dismissed accusations from US representatives that Russia is using American bloggers for propaganda, calling them “unfounded and baseless.”

“I would like to hear the specific name of a US blogger allegedly used by Russia. Without such specifics, these accusations are mere unfounded claims,” he said.

Regarding the simultaneous conduct of military drills by NATO and the Russian Ocean-2024 exercises, Peskov described it as a common occurrence, saying, “It often happens.”