Zelensky says Putin lifted restrictions on Russian air campaigns in September
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says intercepted intelligence indicates Vladimir Putin ordered Russian military leaders in September to remove restrictions that had governed earlier air campaigns. The claim comes as Ukraine reports increased Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure and warnings of further strikes on major cities and energy facilities.
Ukrainian officials say the reported plans include attacks on Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Lviv, as well as nuclear facilities connected to the power grid; they say the aim is to increase pressure on Ukraine and drive people to seek refuge in Europe. The article links the escalation to Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. Separately, Putin warned Russia could use any weapons in its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if NATO attacked Russian territory or tried to isolate Kaliningrad; NATO says it is not targeting the region.
- Zelensky says Putin removed restrictions on Russian air campaigns.
- Ukraine warns of possible attacks on cities and energy facilities.
- Putin threatens a response with Russia’s full arsenal if NATO attacks.
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Russia and Ukraine have been in military conflict since Russia's invasion in 2022. During this conflict, both militaries have conducted air campaigns involving aircraft and missiles striking targets. Military operations sometimes operate under restrictions on which targets can be attacked, either for strategic military reasons or to comply with international law that protects civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Zelensky claims that in September, Russia's military leaders received orders from Putin to lift restrictions that had previously governed air campaigns. According to Ukrainian intelligence assessments, this means Russia plans to conduct larger-scale attacks on major Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Lviv, targeting civilian infrastructure such as power plants and electricity networks. The reported aim is to damage Ukraine's ability to sustain essential services and make conditions difficult enough that people flee the country.
Removing restrictions on air campaigns would represent a significant shift in the scope and scale of Russia's air war. Such a change would mean civilian infrastructure that ordinary people depend on for heating, electricity and water would become a more prominent target, affecting the daily lives of Ukrainian citizens during the conflict.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Putin ‘orders his military leaders to abandon the rules of war’ as Ukraine sees increase in attacks on civilians”.