Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a face-to-face meeting with government officials to discuss operational issues at the Novo-Ogaryovo presidential state residence, October 16, 2023 outside Moscow, Russia. Credit: Gavriil Grigorov/Kremlin Pool/Alamy Live News via REUTERS
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the escalation of Ukrainian drone strikes against Russia is designed to sow public confusion and destabilize the nation's economy. In recent months, Ukraine has increasingly deepened its penetration into Russian territory, routinely targeting oil refineries and major export hubs.
"Their objective is to breed division within Russian society, sow confusion, and inflict economic damage," Putin told Russian soldiers during a Kremlin meeting, as reported by AFP on Saturday (13/6/2026).
"However, they will not succeed," he added.
The remarks were delivered just hours after Kyiv announced it had struck a major oil refinery located more than 1,000 kilometers (approximately 620 miles) from the frontline.
While Putin acknowledged that the Ukrainian strikes had caused "economic damage," he claimed that "everything is being swiftly restored."
Assessing the exact scale of the damage inflicted upon Russia's energy infrastructure remains difficult. Kyiv has consistently defended these operations as a just retaliation for the daily barrages of Russian drones and missiles launched at Ukrainian cities.
Putin emphasized that Moscow must strengthen its air defense systems, marking his second public appeal regarding the matter this month.
Drawing historical parallels, the Russian leader compared Western nations to the 19th-century French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and the 20th-century Nazi German dictator Adolf Hitler—both of whom famously attempted to conquer Russian territory. He further praised Russian assault units for "advancing, seizing control, and securing territories for Russia."
Putin has also recently dismissed any prospect of face-to-face talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to end the conflict, which has now entered its fifth year.
