Video: Putin claims Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries caused ‘no significant damage,’ warns of consequences
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Abdullateef Fowewe
Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that recent Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries in Russia inflicted no major damage, while warning that Kyiv initiated the attacks and should have considered the repercussions.
In a gathering on Thursday, Putin stated, “They took the 1st step; we started responding.”
He added, “They started it. They shouldn’t have started it” and “Before taking that step, they should have carefully considered the consequences.”
He described the strikes as hitting “here and there” with “nothing particularly significant.”
The comments came hours after a Ukrainian drone attack sparked a fire at the Rosneft-owned oil refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region, southeast of Moscow.
Regional governor Pavel Malkov confirmed the fire and said emergency services were assessing the damage.
The facility accounts for nearly 5% of Russia’s oil refining capacity and helps supply fuel to the capital.
The Ryazan strike was the first confirmed Ukrainian attack on a major Russian energy site since U.S. President Donald Trump announced an “energy ceasefire” over the weekend.
The truce was not formally confirmed by either side.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later told the Financial Times that Kyiv had paused strikes on Russian refineries for about three days at Washington’s request but was ending the suspension because Russia continued attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“The block on attacking refineries is out. We’re done,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukrainian officials confirmed the Ryazan hit as a response to ongoing Russian strikes. Russia’s Defense Ministry said air defenses intercepted many drones but that falling debris caused the fire at the refinery.
Both sides have repeatedly targeted each other’s energy infrastructure throughout the conflict.
