FLASH
Shkruar nga PamfletiThe Russian president says Ukraine's attacks on infrastructure are creating "obvious" but not critical problems.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that the country is facing a "certain shortage" of fuel as a result of repeated Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities and infrastructure during the war that has entered its fifth year.
In an interview published by the Kremlin on Sunday, Putin said that attacks on critical infrastructure had caused difficulties, but stressed that the situation remained under control.
"As for attacks on critical infrastructure in general and energy infrastructure in particular, it is clear that these strikes create problems. We are currently observing a certain shortage of fuel, but it is not critical," Putin said.
He added that the main priority of the Russian authorities is strengthening air defense and guaranteeing fuel supplies, especially for the Crimean peninsula.
State of emergency in Crimea
Authorities in Russian-annexed Crimea declared a state of emergency on Friday due to fuel shortages and power outages, which they said were caused by Ukrainian attacks on supply chains and oil facilities.
Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, an action that is not recognized by the vast majority of countries in the world.
A few hours before the interview was published, during a speech at the United Russia party congress, Putin promised that the country would guarantee national security and face the challenges posed by the intensification of Ukrainian attacks inside Russian territory.
"Yes, we see the problems, we are aware of them and we are reacting. But we will guarantee the security of the country, our citizens and the inviolability of Russia's borders," he declared.
He added that Russia will face "all challenges", including what he described as "terrorist acts" against Russian territory and infrastructure.
Drone attack on Krasnodar refinery
Putin's statements came just hours after a Ukrainian drone attack killed one person in the southern Krasnodar region and caused a fire at an oil refinery, according to the regional governor, Veniamin Kondratyev.
On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as part of operations aimed at weakening Russia's ability to continue the war.
"The oil refinery in Slavyansk, in the Krasnodar region, was hit about 300 kilometers from the front line. We also hit a refinery in the Yaroslavl region, approximately 700 kilometers from our border," Zelensky wrote on the social network X.
The attacks are extending ever deeper into Russian territory.
Last week, another Ukrainian attack caused a huge fire at a refinery southeast of Moscow, covering the outskirts of the Russian capital with thick clouds of black smoke.
Ukraine argues that these attacks are a legitimate response to the almost daily bombing that Russia has carried out on Ukrainian cities, civilians, and energy infrastructure since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022.
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