Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Ukraine of retaliation against its key economic infrastructure, accusing Kyiv of opening a “Pandora’s box”
by targeting Russian economic facilities. Putin’s remarks came as Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, warehouses and other economic assets that Kyiv says support Moscow’s war effort. “The Kyiv regime set out to damage our economy. What did it do? It opened this Pandora’s box itself. Well then, expect a response targeting your most sensitive economic sectors,” Putin said, according to Reuters. Russia has also intensified strikes on Ukrainian economic infrastructure, including facilities linked to grain exports through the Black Sea. The attacks have raised concerns about Ukraine’s ability to maintain agricultural shipments. Putin said Russia would be able to compensate for any reduction in Ukrainian supplies and insisted that the disruption would not lead to a global food shortage. “We do face challenges regarding the shipment of our goods, but we will resolve these issues. Consequently, there will be no shortage on the global market,” he said. Russia and Ukraine previously took part in a Turkish-mediated arrangement designed to keep grain exports moving through the Black Sea. Moscow withdrew from the agreement in 2023. Putin also reiterated that Russia remains open to peace talks but said any negotiations must take into account “realities on the ground”. He dismissed proposals reportedly put forward by Kyiv through intermediaries as “exotic”. At least 13 people were killed in overnight and Saturday strikes, with seven deaths reported in Ukraine, four in Russia and two in Russian-annexed Crimea. The latest attacks followed a deadly Russian drone strike on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, where 16 people were killed when a shopping centre was partially destroyed. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s allies in the Coalition of the Willing, led by France and Britain, are due to meet on Monday to discuss ways to increase pressure on Moscow to end the war.
