Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Zelenskyy Says Putin Removed Rules Governing Russian Airstrikes
Ukraine’s president says Russia removed some limits on how it carries out air attacks.
He says Ukrainian intelligence found messages suggesting that Vladimir Putin gave this order in September.
Ukraine says Russian attacks have hit important civilian places such as schools and hospitals.
Russia has not indicated that it accepts this account in the article.
At the same time, Russia warned that it could use all of its weapons if another country directly attacked it.
Russia’s warnings focused partly on Kaliningrad, a Russian region surrounded by NATO countries.
NATO said it is a defensive organization and is not planning to attack or blockade Kaliningrad.
The statements have increased fears of a wider conflict between Russia and NATO.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Vladimir Putin ordered the removal of previous restrictions on Russian air campaigns in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said intercepted communications indicated the order was issued in September as attacks on Kyiv intensified.
He accused Russia of striking civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, data centers, a science academy, and a major bridge.
Vladimir Putin said Russia would use its full arsenal, potentially including nuclear weapons, if directly attacked.
NATO rejected Moscow’s warnings, saying it is defensive and is not targeting Kaliningrad.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia, Ukraine, and NATO.
- What
- Zelenskyy alleged that Putin removed restrictions on Russian air campaigns in Ukraine; Russia warned it could use its full arsenal after a direct attack.
- When
- Zelenskyy said the alleged order was issued in September; the wider warnings and statements were reported on Thursday and Wednesday.
- Where
- The alleged airstrikes occurred in Ukraine, including Kyiv; the broader confrontation involves the Baltic region and Kaliningrad.
- Why
- Zelenskyy said Russia intensified attacks after the restrictions were removed, while Putin said Russia’s warnings were responses to what Moscow considers threats from NATO and Western countries.
Ukrainian and NATO Position
Russian Position
Airstrike restrictions
Ukrainian and NATO Position
Zelenskyy says Putin removed previous rules and that Russian attacks subsequently intensified against civilian infrastructure.
Russian Position
The article does not provide a direct Russian response to Zelenskyy’s specific allegation about removing airstrike restrictions.
Risk of a wider conflict
Ukrainian and NATO Position
European officials and intelligence services warned of intensified Russian hybrid activity and a possible limited attack against a NATO member.
Russian Position
Putin said Russia does not intend to attack European countries and described Moscow’s warnings as a response to Western intimidation and military activity.
Kaliningrad and nuclear threats
Ukrainian and NATO Position
NATO said it is not targeting or blockading Kaliningrad and denounced Russia’s nuclear rhetoric as irresponsible.
Russian Position
Russia warned that it could use all weapons, including nuclear weapons, if NATO countries tried to isolate Kaliningrad from the rest of Russia.
- Alleged order
- Zelenskyy said Putin removed earlier restrictions governing Russian air operations in September.
- Reported targets
- Schools, hospitals, data centers, Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences, and a major Kyiv bridge.
- Intelligence cited
- Zelenskyy said Ukrainian agencies intercepted communications involving Kremlin officials.
- Russian warning
- Putin said Russia would consider using all available weapons after a direct attack on Russian territory.
- Nuclear rhetoric
- A Russian embassy statement said Russia could use nuclear weapons if NATO tried to isolate Kaliningrad.
- NATO response
- NATO said it is a defensive alliance and that its activities do not threaten Russia.
- Kaliningrad
- The Russian exclave lies between NATO members Poland and Lithuania and contains major Russian military assets.