Putin claimed preparation of massive strikes on Ukrainian energy

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russian military were instructed to prepare massive strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. At the same time he called the negotiation process on ending the war "frozen" and threatened a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory.

Putin said this on September 1 at a press conference after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek.

According to him, Russian armed forces were instructed to "prepare and deliver massive strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities." Putin presented possible attacks as a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian facilities, including oil refineries.

Separately, Putin reacted to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement about growing danger for civil aviation in Russian airspace. Zelenskyy had previously warned international airlines, insurers and diplomats that due to the increasing number of Ukrainian drones, Russian sky "de facto will be closing".

At the same time Zelenskyy separately stressed that Ukraine does not threaten civilian aircraft and does not want deaths of peaceful people. According to him, the goal of the statement is to warn airlines in advance about the risks of flights to key Russian airports. Ukrainian agencies should pass relevant information to international structures.

Putin called Zelenskyy's words "a claim for state terrorism". He also linked this issue with the possibility of resuming negotiations, saying that "one does not negotiate with terrorists", and threatened to find a way to respond if "tragedies" occur as a result of such actions.

Regarding diplomatic settlement, Putin said that negotiations around the war are currently effectively frozen. At the same time, he said that Moscow is not giving up contacts, and called special envoy of the US president Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner welcome guests in Russia.

Putin also commented on the recent visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow. According to him, contacts between American and Russian special services have been maintained constantly, including during periods of acute confrontation between the countries.

Among other statements by Putin were claims about the acceleration of the Russian offensive, the capture of Sviatohirsk in the Donetsk region, and the encirclement of large groups of Ukrainian military. The data presented by the Russian president about the situation at the front need independent confirmation.

In addition, Putin denied preparations for a new wave of mobilization in Russia, called drones one of the main challenges for the Russian army, and claimed that Russia has allegedly already repaired about 90% of damaged oil refineries.