Vladimir Putin Dismisses Reports of New Russian Mobilization While Ordering Strikes on Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed reports of a potential new wave of mobilization as "absolute nonsense" during a press conference following the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Putin stated that Moscow had ordered preparations for large-scale strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries and other facilities. He noted that a large number of Ukrainian drones attempted to penetrate air defenses around Moscow and St. Petersburg to strike three oil refineries. While Putin dismissed the mobilization reports, Ukrainian officials have provided different perspectives on the conflict's progression. Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa reported that Russian military leadership had been tasked with preparing several operational scenarios for an offensive in northern Ukraine, specifically in the Kyiv and Chernihiv areas. Palisa stated that the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has developed response scenarios to defend and counter these potential actions. Additionally, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that logistics centers in the Kiev region, including the "Eridon" and "FM Logistics Dnepr" centers, were targeted for strikes. These centers were used to store dual-use goods and UAV components for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Sources
-
Putin brushes off mobilization reports as 'absolute nonsense,' threatens mass strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector
The Kyiv Independent
-
Russia planning operation in northern Ukraine, including Kyiv, military says
-
Russia will hit bridges and sewage treatment plants in Kiev — Yaroslavsky
EADaily