Putin threatens Ukraine with harsh Russian response

Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has threatened Ukraine with a harsh response from Moscow, after massive Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries and logistics centres on Russian territory.

According to Putin, Ukraine opened «il vaso di Pandora» (Pandora's box), that is, a source of misfortune, by striking directly at the Russian economy with these attacks. He said this on Saturday, in his first interview with Russian state television since the Ukrainian raids began, several weeks ago. The Russian president added that Kiev had now let out «il genio dalla bottiglia» (the genie from the bottle), another image to describe the consequences Ukraine would, in his view, have to face for this choice.

Addressing Kiev directly, Putin warned: «Le contromisure non si faranno attendere a lungo. Le riceverete» (The countermeasures will not be long in coming. You will receive them). His words came after ultranationalist circles in Russia had, in recent times, repeatedly urged the president to act more harshly against Ukraine.

Putin also said the actions of the Russian army «saranno ancora più evidenti e distruttive» (will be even more evident and destructive), claiming that Ukraine itself, through its attacks on the Russian economy, had provoked this response from Moscow.

Ballistic missiles and civilian casualties

Already in the weeks before this interview, Russia had increasingly stepped up its use of ballistic missiles against Ukraine. Moscow is aware that the country now has very few interceptor missiles left to defend itself against this type of weapon.

These missile attacks caused a number of civilian casualties not seen in a long time. Putin nonetheless called them appropriate and effective in the interview with state television.

According to the Russian president, these strikes would have helped Russian soldiers at the front carry out their military tasks. Putin gave no further details on the nature of the countermeasures announced against Kiev.