Putin Acknowledges Ukrainian Attacks Damaging Russian Economy

Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that recent intensified attacks by Ukraine are damaging the Russian economy and society. 'Ukraine is increasingly targeting Russia's oil refineries, storage facilities, and pipelines, as well as fuel supplies in Crimea,' Putin said.

This statement by Putin on Friday came in the context of Ukraine intensifying attacks on Russian infrastructure in recent weeks. Ukraine claimed to have attacked a significant oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk, Russia, the previous night. However, Putin claimed that these attacks would not bring division within Russia and that the economy would soon be restored.

Ukraine is attacking oil refineries, fuel storage facilities, and pipelines deep within Russia. These are all extremely important structures for Russia's oil and gas exports. As the war drags on and Moscow's influence in eastern Ukraine slows, the impact of such attacks appears to be increasing.

'Speaking of the economy, they are certainly hurting us, but we are quickly recovering,' Putin said. According to the Russian state news agency TASS, he stated that the purpose of these attacks was to spread 'disorder and confusion' in society.

However, he emphasized that such attacks 'will not succeed in dividing society or weakening Russia economically, at least not as they wish.'

Ukraine, on the other hand, has explained its attacks as a just retaliation for the destruction that Russia is causing daily by firing drones and missiles at Ukrainian cities and settlements.

Putin also said that the Russian army would further increase attacks on 'enemy infrastructure' and 'discourage attacks on civilian structures,' while claiming that the 'special military operation' was progressing successfully within Russia. He also stated that its air defense system needs to be further strengthened.

In addition to long-range attacks, Ukraine has also targeted supply routes to Russian-occupied Crimea, especially fuel trucks. This has caused the most severe fuel crisis in Crimea since Russia's annexation in 2014.

The Institute for the Study of War in Washington stated that Ukraine's long-range and medium-range attacks are being coordinated. The organization stated in its analysis, 'Long-range attacks are reducing Russia's production capacity, while medium-range attacks are obstructing the transportation of gasoline produced by Russia.'

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted this week that there was a fuel shortage in Crimea and stated that 'necessary steps have been taken' to resolve it.

Putin recently rejected the possibility of direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the war.

However, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Ukraine has regained more territory in May than it lost.