Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will be forced to retaliate against continued Ukrainian cross-border attacks, accusing Kyiv of escalating the conflict by striking deeper into Russian territory with weapons allegedly supplied by Western nations.
Speaking to reporters in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, Putin stated that Ukraine’s actions had crossed a red line and could not go unanswered. “We are considering asymmetrical responses to these attacks,” he said, warning that Russia “reserves the right to take necessary measures” in defense of its sovereignty.
The Russian president accused Ukraine of targeting civilian infrastructure and border towns in regions such as Belgorod and Kursk, using long-range artillery and drones. Putin claimed these attacks were facilitated by Western-supplied weapons, particularly from the United States and NATO allies, and suggested they were carried out with foreign coordination.
“These are not isolated incidents,” he said. “They are systematic, and they will be met with consequences.”
The warning follows a series of drone and artillery strikes attributed to Ukraine that have hit inside Russian territory in recent weeks. Kyiv has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility but has repeatedly stated that it reserves the right to strike military targets beyond its borders in self-defense.
Putin’s remarks come amid a renewed push by Ukraine to take the war to Russian soil, with the stated goal of disrupting supply lines, military command centers, and ammunition depots. Ukrainian officials argue that these actions are justified as long as Russian forces continue their assault on Ukrainian territory.
The United States has recently eased restrictions on the use of its weapons systems by Ukraine, allowing Kyiv to strike targets just across the border under certain conditions. President Joe Biden approved this limited policy change following increased pressure from allies and members of Congress urging stronger support for Ukraine.
Putin also commented on the evolving relationship between Ukraine and NATO, accusing the Western alliance of using Ukraine as a proxy and pushing the region closer to a wide war. “We are not fighting just Ukraine. We are facing the military and technological capabilities of the entire Western bloc,” he said.
In response to Putin’s statements, Ukrainian officials dismissed the Russian leader’s accusations and insisted that their defensive posture aligns with international law. “We are protecting our people and defending our land,” a Ukrainian defense ministry spokesperson said.
Tensions have escalated further following Ukrainian drone strikes reportedly hitting oil depots and railway infrastructure in southern Russia. Analysts warn that any large-scale Russian retaliation could significantly widen the conflict and increase the risk of a direct confrontation with NATO.
Putin’s warning was delivered on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where he also took questions on the state of the Russian economy and Western sanctions. He maintained that Russia’s economy was “adapting well” and dismissed reports of domestic instability.
Meanwhile, Western leaders have reiterated support for Ukraine, with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirming that Kyiv has the right to self-defense and that the alliance will continue to provide military and financial assistance.
As the war enters its third year, both sides appear entrenched, with diplomatic solutions increasingly elusive. Putin’s latest remarks signal a potential escalation in Moscow’s military posture and raise new concerns about the conflict spilling beyond Ukraine’s borders.
Source; Al Jazeera
