Putin Orders Strengthening of Air Defenses as Ukraine Drone Strikes Reach Deep into Russia

ST. PETERSBURG: Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to strengthen Russia’s air defense systems following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks that have struck deep inside Russian territory, including targets near St. Petersburg.

Speaking during a media session on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin acknowledged that some Ukrainian drones have successfully penetrated Russian defenses.

“To our regret, some of them break through,” Putin said. “We need to improve and strengthen our air defense system, and we will do that.”

Hours before the forum opened, Ukrainian drones reportedly set fire to an oil terminal in St. Petersburg and struck a nearby naval facility, underscoring the growing reach of Ukraine’s long-range strike capability.

The annual economic forum, widely seen as Russia’s flagship investment event, was overshadowed by the latest escalation in the ongoing war, now in its fifth year.

Putin also reiterated that Russia remains open to a potential compromise on Ukraine, referencing understandings reportedly reached during his past summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska. He said any agreement would require Ukraine to accept those terms, while ruling out a temporary ceasefire as a prerequisite for negotiations.

“We are not interested in a pause; we are interested in a lasting settlement,” Putin said, adding that military operations would continue along the front line.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, issued a public appeal proposing direct face-to-face negotiations with Putin. The Kremlin said it had not yet reviewed the letter, while reiterating that any meeting could only take place under conditions leading to a formal agreement.

Putin also dismissed the possibility of European Union mediation in peace talks, arguing that mediators must be neutral and claiming that several European states have taken openly adversarial positions toward Russia.

In remarks addressing battlefield developments, Putin said Russian forces were advancing along the front line and reiterated Moscow’s objective of securing full control over the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. He also highlighted the use of Russia’s Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, describing it as part of ongoing weapons testing and operational development.

The Russian president also rejected Western allegations regarding sabotage operations across Europe, including cyberattacks and attempted assassinations, saying no concrete evidence had been presented to support such claims.

On broader international issues, Putin said Russia remained willing to support diplomatic efforts regarding Iran, including the storage of enriched uranium as part of a potential nuclear arrangement.

When asked about his political future, Putin, 73, dismissed speculation about seeking another presidential term that could extend his rule into the 2030s, saying he was “not even thinking about it” and emphasizing uncertainty about the future.

The comments come amid continued global concern over the war in Ukraine, rising cross-border attacks, and stalled diplomatic efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement.