Putin warns Ukraine of retaliation over strikes on Russian economy

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning on Saturday that Moscow would respond to Kyiv’s intensified drone campaign against Russian economic infrastructure. In comments published on Samaa, he said Ukraine had opened a “Pandora’s box” by targeting oil refineries, warehouses of online retailers and other civilian facilities. “The Kyiv regime set out to damage our economy. What did it do? It opened this Pandora’s box itself. Well then, expect a response targeting your most sensitive economic sectors,” Putin said.

Reports indicate that Ukrainian forces have struck Russian oil refineries and warehouses belonging to major online retailers.

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In response, Russia has begun to target Ukrainian economic infrastructure as well. According to TRT World, Russian forces have struck facilities linked to grain exports through the Black Sea and have increased attacks on Ukrainian defence‑industry enterprises, including sites in Kyiv. The Kremlin’s strikes are described as more precise and destructive than earlier raids. “We have begun to respond to the enemy’s actions against our civilian industrial facilities and logistics,” Putin said in his interview with Vesti.

"The Kyiv regime set out to damage our economy. What did it do? It opened this Pandora’s box itself."

Vladimir Putin, Russian President, via Samaa

Putin also accused Kyiv of attempting to disrupt Russia’s domestic elections through psychological and informational pressure. He said Moscow would strengthen state institutions to protect the legitimacy of its government. “I am confident that this attempt at informational and psychological influence on Russian society is also doomed to failure,” he added.

Despite the escalation, the Kremlin has reiterated that Russia remains open to peace negotiations. “We remain ready for dialogue with Ukraine, but only on the basis of the situation on the ground,” Putin said. He dismissed proposals reportedly put forward by Ukraine through intermediaries as “exotic,” signalling that Moscow’s negotiating demands have not changed.

Putin also addressed concerns about global food security. He said that Russian attacks on Ukrainian grain export infrastructure had created challenges for Ukraine’s agricultural exports, but insisted that they would not lead to global shortages. “We do face challenges regarding the shipment of our goods, but we will resolve these issues. Consequently, there will be no shortage on the global market,” he said. The Kremlin noted that Russia had sufficient export potential to prevent a shortage on world markets.

Russia had previously participated in a Turkish‑brokered agreement designed to protect grain exports through the Black Sea. Moscow withdrew from the arrangement in 2023, a move that has intensified the economic dimension of the conflict.

On the battlefield, Putin said Ukraine and its Western backers had gained no advantage from the current campaign. “Ukraine and Western countries had long dreamed of pushing the country into collapse and had repeatedly spoken about it,” he said. He described attempts to defeat Russia within 40 days as “another adventure” by Kiev and its Western leaders.

For the coming weeks, observers will watch how both sides calibrate their economic attacks. Russian forces have already launched precision strikes against Ukrainian defence‑industry enterprises, and Ukrainian drones continue to target Russian oil refineries and storage sites. The Kremlin’s resolve to protect its “most sensitive economic sectors” is clear, while Moscow’s statements indicate that it will not tolerate further economic damage.

Key developments in the economic conflict

• Russian retaliation against Ukrainian grain export facilities and defence‑industry enterprises, including sites in Kyiv.
• Putin’s warning that Russia will strike Ukraine’s most sensitive economic sectors.
• Rejection of “exotic” proposals for peace talks; insistence on negotiations based on ground realities.
• Claims that Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian agricultural infrastructure will not cause global food shortages.

As the conflict enters a new phase, both governments are likely to intensify their economic operations. The next significant development will be whether the Kremlin escalates its precision strikes against Ukrainian economic targets further or whether Kyiv responds with additional drone attacks. Diplomacy remains on the sidelines, with Putin repeatedly stating that any dialogue must reflect the current situation on the ground.