Vladimir Putin has made a rare public admission that Russia is facing “problems” as Ukraine intensifies its campaign of long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory.
The Kremlin leader acknowledged mounting challenges during a speech to members of the ruling United Russia party, conceding that Moscow was grappling with attacks on its territory and critical infrastructure as the war enters its fifth year.
His comments came after Ukraine launched another wave of drone strikes targeting Russian oil refineries and military facilities, while Moscow responded with a barrage of ballistic missiles against Ukrainian cities in one of the latest tit-for-tat escalations.
Speaking at the party congress, Putin said: “Yes, we see the problems, we are aware of them and are responding to them, but we will certainly ensure the security of both the country and our citizens, as well as the inviolability of Russia’s borders.
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We will undoubtedly overcome all the challenges facing us today, including terrorist attacks on our territory and infrastructure facilities.
The unusually candid remarks highlight the growing pressure on the Kremlin as Ukrainian long-range attacks increasingly reach strategic targets hundreds of miles from the battlefield.
On Sunday, Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the Slavyansk oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region, around 300km from the front line, as well as another refinery in the Yaroslavl region, roughly 700km from the Ukrainian border.
The attacks form part of Kyiv’s strategy of targeting Russia’s energy and logistics infrastructure in an effort to weaken Moscow’s ability to sustain its invasion.
Russian officials said one person was killed in Krasnodar after debris from intercepted drones damaged homes, a gas pipeline and electricity infrastructure. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed its air defences destroyed 213 Ukrainian drones during the latest assault.
Fuel shortages have also emerged in parts of Russia following repeated strikes on refineries and fuel depots, forcing the Kremlin to devote increasing resources to protecting critical infrastructure. Putin confirmed that a government task force was working to stabilise fuel supplies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the latest operation, saying Kyiv would continue striking targets that enable Russia’s war machine.
“We continue our operations that weaken Russia’s ability to wage this war,” he said.
“The Slavyansk oil refinery in the Krasnodar region was hit… We also reached a refinery in the Yaroslavl region. We will continue to respond to Russian terror.”
The exchange came as Russia launched fresh ballistic missile attacks across Ukraine, with officials reporting at least 36 people injured, including civilians in Kyiv.
The fighting has settled into a costly war of attrition, with recent estimates indicating Russia is sustaining around 30,000 casualties every month while making only limited gains along the front line. Against that backdrop, Ukraine has increasingly focused on striking Russia’s military-industrial base and energy infrastructure, aiming to raise the economic and logistical cost of continuing the war.
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