Following the attacks, humanity "grew up," Putin said.

"They counted on modern civilization becoming flabby, sluggish, and losing its capacity for resistance," Putin said. The terrorists "did not expect such a unity of humanity before the common enemy."

Putin praised the U.S.-led strikes, saying they were a just response to the Sept. 11 tragedy with its thousands of victims. He also said he was certain the United States was doing everything possible to avoid civilian losses.

The U.S. ambassador in Moscow, Alexander Vershbow, in turn praised Russia on Monday as being "vital for the success of the coalition against international terrorism" and thanked Moscow for its "multifaceted support."

Putin devoted most of his comments, which were broadcast on Russian television, to what he called the terrorists' errors in provoking the leading nations in the world.

With the new anti-terrorism coalition, terrorists can no longer "maneuver between various centers of power ... leaning first on one, then on another... That went on for many years," Putin said.

Putin reaffirmed Russia's willingness to provide an air corridor for humanitarian flights and to send weapons and equipment to Afghanistan's opposition forces battling the ruling Taliban militia. Russia has also sent its own humanitarian aid to Afghan refugees through Tajikistan.

The Russian Defense Ministry refused to comment on a report Monday by the Interfax-Military News Agency that an air force transport regiment including 24 Il-76 planes had been ordered to fly to Central Asia within four hours.

The security heads from former Soviet republics belonging to the Collective Security Treaty organization met behind closed doors in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, to discuss the situation around Afghanistan.

Vladimir Rushailo, the chief of Putin's security council, said the organization's own rapid-reaction force had already been put on alert, the Interfax news agency reported.

Interfax reported that Russian Defense Ministry advisers were also working in Uzbekistan, where they were to serve as liaisons with U.S. and other NATO military units. The report could not be independently confirmed.

Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov, meanwhile, reaffirmed his nation's permission for the United States and its allies to use its airspace. U.S. military advisers were already in Tajikistan, said Muneo Suzuki, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's special envoy on anti-terrorism efforts. Suzuki said he was told that by Rakhmonov.

Uzbek troops along the border with Afghanistan were put on alert Sunday, but remained in place, while officials ordered a partial evacuation of civilians near the border.

Uzbekistan's president gave permission Friday for U.S. warplanes and troops to use an Uzbek air base and the U.S. Army sent 1,000 infantry soldiers there. They were to be on standby to come to the aid of any U.S. special forces that might run into trouble operating inside Afghanistan.

But Mirakbar Rakhmankulov, secretary of the National Security Council, said in the capital, Tashkent, on Monday that there were American troops in the country.

Uzbekistan is worried about reported Taliban plans to deal it a blow so as to punish the country for backing Washington. Russia's border guard chief Col. Gen. Konstantin Totsky said Monday he had received reports of Taliban fighters massing close to the Uzbek border, adding that Moscow may be willing to help if Uzbekistan asks.