Putin vows revenge, 'Kiev has opened Pandora's box by attacking the economy'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed retaliation against Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of opening a "Pandora’s box" by targeting Russian infrastructure and logistics networks. This statement comes amid escalating tensions following sustained Ukrainian strikes on energy facilities and supply chains deep within Russia, including recent attacks on e-commerce warehouses operated by Ozon. Putin acknowledged the economic damage caused by these raids but warned that punitive measures would soon follow, emphasizing his intent to expand Russia’s air defense capabilities. The remarks were made as Moscow continues its military operations across Ukraine, with renewed missile strikes hitting the capital, Kyiv, which suffered significant casualties after a previous attack on a shopping center in Kryvyj Rih that killed 16 people and injured 130. Recent daytime missile attacks in the Boryspil district claimed two more lives. Meanwhile, Ukraine has claimed responsibility for strikes on a petroleum facility in Krasnodar and a refinery in Samara, regions far removed from the Ukrainian border. These attacks mark the first time Ukrainian forces have targeted an Ozon logistics hub, prompting the evacuation of 500 residents. Over recent weeks, Kyiv has focused on striking another major Russian e-commerce company, Wildberries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aims to cripple Russia’s logistical and energy sectors, causing widespread disruption to the Russian economy and population. However, Putin dismissed these efforts, stating they have not yielded strategic gains for Ukraine and have had no impact on the battlefield. He warned that Russia will respond by targeting the most vulnerable areas of Ukraine’s economy, which he described as already under strain. According to Putin, Russian troops continue their offensive in multiple directions while accelerating their advance across the war-torn country. Moscow expressed willingness to engage in peace talks, but only based on developments on the ground. Peace negotiations have been stalled for months, with mediation attempts by the United States paused due to the conflict with Iran. This impasse has left military action as the primary option. Reports from The Atlantic, citing two unnamed sources, indicate that earlier this year some Ukrainian officials proposed a new plan to Zelensky involving launching waves of AI-equipped drones against Moscow’s airports. The goal was to prevent international airlines from operating flights to and from the Russian capital. Known as the “M&M’s” plan, it was deemed too risky due to potential harm to civilian aviation and was ultimately abandoned. Nevertheless, the proposal underscores the intensity of the current conflict. Zelensky continues to seek military support from Western allies, recently securing a commitment from French President Emmanuel Macron to expedite the delivery of new anti-aircraft missiles to defend Ukrainian skies. The upcoming meeting of the Voluntary Group of Friends of Ukraine, scheduled for Monday, will reaffirm allied backing for Kyiv’s struggle. The session will be co-chaired by Macron, who will participate via videoconference alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Remote participation will include Zelensky and European Council President Antonio Costa, along with representatives from ten other leaders, European and global, who will contribute to the discussions. As the conflict intensifies, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with no immediate signs of de-escalation. The focus remains on military strategy and economic resilience, with each side preparing for further confrontations.