Putin visits Stavropol territory

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the Stavropol Territory (Russia's south) on a working visit.

A helicopter will take the head of state to the Barsukovskaya village, almost completely destroyed during a flood in June. Putin already visited this village in late June, 2002. The president said the immense destruction caused by the flood in Russia's south was a result of "negligence".

After visiting the areas affected by the flood, the president held a meeting in Stavropol. He assured that the state would find the necessary funds to recover southern Russian areas, but also called on to local leaders "not to put forth unreal requests and demands".

Putin demanded that authorities of all levels should "carry out unconditionally" all schedules of recovery works in the areas affected by floods.