Putin says Ukraine’s strikes opened 'Pandora’s box,' vows retaliation
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Ukraine of retaliation after Kiev stepped up attacks on Russian economic infrastructure, saying the strikes opened a “Pandora’s box” that would prompt Moscow to target Ukraine’s most sensitive economic sectors.
“The Kiev regime set out to damage our economy. What did it do? It opened this Pandora’s box itself,” Putin said in comments published Saturday.
He warned Kiev to “expect a response targeting your most sensitive economic sectors.”
Ukraine has intensified its drone attacks against Russian economic infrastructure this summer, targeting oil refineries, warehouses and other facilities.
Russia has responded with attacks on Ukrainian economic infrastructure, including facilities linked to the country’s agricultural and grain exports through the Black Sea.
Putin further said that the strikes, which have affected Ukraine’s agricultural exports, would not lead to shortages on global markets, arguing that Russia could make up for any shortfall.
“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 added.
Russia and Ukraine had previously participated in a Turkish-brokered agreement aimed at protecting grain exports through the Black Sea. Moscow withdrew from the arrangement in 2023.
The Russian leader also reiterated that Moscow remains open to peace talks with Kiev, but said any negotiations must take into account the “realities on the ground.”
Kiev has increasingly used long-range strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, including refineries, oil depots and terminals, as part of an effort to disrupt Moscow’s economy and force Moscow into negotiating a peace deal on Kiev's terms.
Putin’s remarks follow a major Ukrainian drone assault on Russia last week, when Moscow said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 822 drones across several regions.
Russian authorities reported civilian deaths and damage to economic infrastructure, including a Wildberries warehouse in the Moscow region.
Wildberries warehouses have been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian forces, alongside Russian energy facilities, residential buildings, civilian vehicles, critical infrastructure, and resorts.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that approximately 600 of the drones launched by Kiev were aimed directly at the Russian capital.
In response, Russian forces targeted the Ukrainian capital, launching both missiles and drones at sites in Kiev.
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