Putin declared the uniqueness of air defense amid drone attacks on oil refineries
During a meeting with the heads of international news agencies at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Vladimir Putin stated that Russia had allegedly gained “unique experience” in the field of air defense.
Speaking at the SPIEF, Putin acknowledged that some drones are reaching targets on Russian territory. “Some of them, unfortunately for us, are getting through,” he noted, adding that Russia “must improve and strengthen” its air defense system. At the same time, Putin stated that the accumulated experience is “unique” and “there is no such experience anywhere else.” According to him, Russia is already sharing these findings with its partners, “work in all these areas is underway” and will continue.
Putin also took the opportunity to compare the state of Russia’s and Ukraine’s air defense systems. According to him, Kyiv “does not have such a system at all”—he described the existing systems, including the Patriot, as “individual elements” of which there is a “catastrophic shortage.” Putin linked the source of the drones used to attack targets in Russia to the West: “Western sponsors are supplying large quantities of various types of drones, including those with long-range capabilities.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy published an open letter to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The document formally proposes ending the war through direct bilateral negotiations between the leaders and implementing a complete ceasefire.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is allegedly ready for negotiations to end the war against Ukraine, but sees no willingness for dialogue on the Ukrainian side.
Putin is not changing course and continues to finance the war.
