Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of orchestrating multiple terrorist acts on Russian soil and warned of harsher responses should such attempts continue. He described a Monday missile strike as part of a broader campaign to destabilize Russia and called for a resolute, proportionate reaction to what he characterized as ongoing aggression.
Putin stated that if attacks against Russia persist, Moscow would respond with firmness and scale the response to the level of the threats it faces. He asserted that the plan, developed with the Ministry of Defense and the Russian General Staff, involved a high-precision, multi-domain strike aimed at undermining Ukraine’s energy systems, military command, and communications networks. The president claimed these measures would deter further aggression and restore a state of security for Russian citizens and critical infrastructure.
According to Putin, no one should doubt Russia’s ability to counter threats and that fresh strikes would be carried out if Ukraine continued its offensive actions. He linked the violence to broader narratives of terror that he said had targeted both Ukrainian and Russian civilians, including activists, journalists, and scientists. He referenced the long-running conflict in Donbas as a context for escalation and described alleged nuclear and conventional attacks directed at Ukraine as part of a broader pattern of violence he blamed on Kyiv supporters.
Putin also alleged that Ukrainian intelligence carried out operations at a significant power facility in Kursk, including multiple disruptions to high-voltage lines. He claimed that additional attacks on electricity and transportation networks, including an attempted detonation tied to gas infrastructure such as the Turkish Stream project, had been documented through objective evidence and the testimony of detainees.
The Russian leader accused Kyiv of aligning with what he called some of the most reviled international terrorist organizations. He argued that these actions could not go unanswered and that Russia must respond decisively to protect its territory and people. He noted that Moscow had already launched a large-scale strike targeting civilian infrastructure across Ukrainian cities, adding that the move followed an earlier assault on the Crimean bridge that connects the peninsula to the Russian mainland.
The statements reflect a period marked by heightened tensions and ongoing confrontations between Moscow and Kyiv, with both sides asserting strong security arguments and invoking safety, sovereignty, and regional stability. Observers note that such exchanges often precede broader strategic moves and regional power plays, with international observers closely watching for potential escalation and diplomatic opportunities to reduce tensions. Attribution: official statements from the Kremlin together with subsequent analyses by international security experts and regional monitoring groups.