Putin Threatens Massive Strikes on Ukraine Energy Grid as He Says 10% of Refinery Repairs Remain
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Post · Sep 2
Putin Threatens Massive Strikes on Ukraine Energy Grid as He Says 10% of Refinery Repairs Remain
3 articles · Updated · Kyiv Post · Sep 2
Summary
Speaking after the SCO summit in Bishkek, Putin said Russia was preparing major new attacks on Ukraine’s energy system and insisted Ukrainian defenses would eventually “crumble.”
The threat came as he ruled out talks with what he called “terrorists,” responding to Volodymyr Zelensky’s warning that expanding Ukrainian drone operations are making Russian airspace increasingly unsafe.
Putin also conceded Ukrainian strikes have damaged Russian refineries, saying only about 10% of hit refining capacity still needs repair, while not addressing resulting fuel shortages and supply disruptions.
His remarks followed an Aug. 24 decree letting the state impose temporary management on strategic facilities that fail to protect themselves from drone attacks or restore operations after strikes.
The same appearance widened his confrontation with Europe: Putin denied German findings that Russia was behind an Aug. 4 explosive-drone operation, after Berlin moved to close Russia’s Bonn consulate and seek more EU sanctions.