Amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has pledged to bolster national security and safeguard Russia’s borders, as Ukraine steps up its drone strikes on Russian soil. During a United Russia party congress, Putin acknowledged the challenges Russia faces and assured that the nation would maintain the security of its state and citizens, despite ongoing attacks.
The remarks from the Russian leader followed reports of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting infrastructure in southern Russia, including an oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, which resulted in fires and significant damage. Ukrainian officials have stated that these strikes are part of efforts to diminish Russia’s military capabilities, with the focus on energy facilities that support the Russian war effort.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky elaborated on the strategy, noting that the operations are a direct response to Russian strikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure. He emphasized that the targets, such as refineries deep within Russian territory, are critical to disrupting the Russian military’s logistics and supply chains.
This escalation in drone warfare has seen a marked increase in cross-border attacks in recent weeks, striking oil refineries and logistics networks across Russia and areas under Russian control. The impacts have been felt in regions like Crimea, where reports of fuel shortages and power outages have surfaced, further complicating the situation.
The conflict, which has been ongoing since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, continues to intensify as both nations focus on crippling each other’s critical infrastructure in a bid to gain the upper hand in the broader military confrontation.
