Putin Vows to Ensure Russia’s Security Amid Ukraine Retaliatory Strikes

By AFP June 28, 2026 President Vladimir Putin at the United Russia party congress. Kremlin.ru Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday vowed to ensure security and overcome challenges as Ukraine stepped up its retaliatory strikes inside Russia amid Moscow's four-year war. Kyiv calls the attacks fair retribution for Russia's near-daily barrages on Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure since its February 2022 war. "Yes, we see the problems, we are aware of them and are responding to them, but we will certainly ensure the security of both the country and our citizens, as well as the inviolability of Russia's borders," Putin said at the United Russia party congress. "We will undoubtedly overcome all the challenges facing us today, including terrorist attacks on our territory and infrastructure facilities," he added. Putin's speech came hours after a Ukrainian drone strike killed one person in Russia's southern Krasnodar region and sparked a fire in a refinery, according to regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev. Kyiv claimed the hit, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calling it a part of the "operations that weaken Russia's ability to wage this war." "The Slavyansk oil refinery in the Krasnodar region was hit — about 300 kilometers from the frontline. We also reached a refinery in the Yaroslavl region, approximately 700 kilometers from our border," Zelensky said on X on Sunday. Last week, another Ukrainian attack caused a major fire at a refinery in the southeast of Moscow, shrouding the capital's suburbs in plumes of thick black smoke. Russian-annexed Crimea on Friday declared an "emergency situation" in a bid to ease the fallout from increasing Ukrainian aerial attacks on the peninsula. The territory grapples with fuel shortages and power cuts triggered by Ukrainian attacks on logistics chains and oil facilities across Crimea, other Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine and southern Russia. Russia seized and annexed Crimea in 2014, though the vast majority of countries — including many of Moscow's allies — do not recognize the move. Read more about: Putin , Ukraine war Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russia Supports Ceasefire Proposal in Ukraine, Putin Says, But ‘Nuances’ Remain “The idea itself is correct, and we support it, but there are a number of issues that require discussion,” the Kremlin leader said. 3 Min read opinion Tatiana Stanovaya Putin’s Tactic of Inaction Could Backfire at Home The day may come when Putin finds himself dependent on a group of once politically irrelevant ultra-patriots. 4 Min read Russian Village Near Ukraine Border Asks Putin for ‘Protection’ A petition created by residents alleges the authorities have done little to protect them from shelling and that they live in “permanent fear.” Putin Visits 'Hero' Soldiers Wounded in Ukraine The Russian president's appearance at a military hospital is his first visit with troops wounded in Moscow's campaign in Ukraine.