Putin Says Ukrainian Drone Strikes Aim to Sow Confusion Among Russians

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that an increase in Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia is aimed at sowing confusion and damaging the country’s economy. Ukraine has been penetrating deeper into Russia in recent months, regularly striking oil refineries and export hubs.

“Their goal is to create a split in Russian society, sow confusion, and cause economic damage,” Putin told Russian soldiers at a meeting in the Kremlin, according to AFP. “But they will not succeed,” he added.

The comments came hours after Kyiv said it had struck a major oil refinery more than 1,000 kilometres (about 620 miles) from the front line. Putin acknowledged the attacks had caused “economic damage” but claimed that “everything is quickly restored”.

It is difficult to assess the full extent of the damage inflicted on Russia’s energy infrastructure. Ukraine describes the strikes as just retaliation for the daily barrages of drones and missiles Russia sends into Ukrainian cities.

Putin said Moscow must bolster its air defences, marking his second such call this month. The Russian leader also compared the West to 19th-century French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and 20th-century Nazi German leader Adolf Hitler—both of whom attempted to seize Russian territory—and praised Russian assault groups for “coming, taking control, and securing territory for Russia.”

Putin recently rejected the prospect of face-to-face talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to end the war, which has now lasted more than four years.