Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Putin Threatens Deeper Strikes After Ukraine Economic Attacks
Russia and Ukraine are fighting and attacking important places in each other’s countries.
Ukraine has used drones to hit Russian oil refineries, warehouses and other infrastructure.
Ukraine says some of these places help Russia continue its war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine caused the latest escalation by attacking Russia’s economy.
He warned that Russia may attack important parts of Ukraine’s economy in response.
Russia has also attacked Ukrainian civilian and economic facilities, including places connected to grain exports.
Putin said these attacks would not cause a worldwide food shortage because Russia could help replace supplies.
At least 13 people were killed in recent attacks in Ukraine, Russia and Crimea.
Putin said Russia is still willing to discuss peace, but only while considering what he calls the situation on the ground.
Vladimir Putin said Ukraine “opened Pandora’s box” by targeting Russian economic infrastructure.
Putin warned Russia would strike Ukraine’s “most sensitive economic sectors” in retaliation.
Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, warehouses and other infrastructure tied to Russia’s war effort.
Russia has retaliated with strikes on Ukrainian economic and civilian infrastructure, including facilities linked to Black Sea grain exports.
At least 13 people were killed in recent attacks, while Putin said Russia remains open to peace talks based on the “realities on the ground.”
- Who
- Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia and Ukraine; Ukraine’s allies are also involved in diplomatic efforts.
- What
- Putin threatened retaliation against Ukraine’s economic sectors after Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure and reiterated Russia’s openness to peace talks.
- When
- The remarks were made Saturday amid continuing attacks; at least 13 people were killed in overnight and Saturday attacks.
- Where
- The reported attacks affected Ukraine, Russia and Russian-annexed Crimea, including Kryvyi Rih and facilities linked to Black Sea grain exports.
- Why
- Putin said Ukraine’s attacks on Russian economic assets triggered Russia’s threatened response, while Ukraine says its targets support Russia’s war effort.
Russian Position
Ukrainian Position
Responsibility for economic escalation
Russian Position
Putin said Kyiv opened “Pandora’s box” by trying to damage Russia’s economy and warned that Moscow’s response could be much more damaging to Ukraine.
Ukrainian Position
Ukraine says its strikes target Russian oil refineries, warehouses and other infrastructure that support Moscow’s war effort.
Attacks on grain infrastructure
Russian Position
Putin said Russian strikes affecting Ukrainian agricultural exports would not create a global food shortage and that Russia could replace Ukraine’s supplies.
Ukrainian Position
Russian strikes have hit facilities connected to Ukraine’s grain exports through the Black Sea, an important source of Ukrainian revenue.
Peace negotiations
Russian Position
Putin said Russia remains open to talks if they account for what he calls the “realities on the ground,” while dismissing reported proposals as “exotic.”
Ukrainian Position
The article does not detail Ukraine’s position on the reported proposals, but both sides continue attacks while diplomatic efforts proceed.
- Putin’s warning
- Putin said Russia would target Ukraine’s “most sensitive economic sectors” in response to strikes.
- Ukrainian strikes
- Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, warehouses and other infrastructure.
- Russian retaliation
- Russia has increasingly attacked Ukrainian economic and civilian infrastructure, including facilities linked to grain exports.
- Recent deaths
- At least 13 people were killed in overnight and Saturday attacks: seven in Ukraine, four in Russia and two in Russian-annexed Crimea.
- Kryvyi Rih attack
- Rescuers were searching a damaged shopping centre after a Russian drone attack that killed 16 people the previous day.
- Global food supplies
- Putin said attacks affecting Ukrainian agricultural exports would not cause a global food shortage and that Russia would maintain international supplies.
- Peace talks
- Putin said Russia remains open to negotiations based on what he called the “realities on the ground,” while rejecting reported proposals as “exotic.”
