President Vladimir Putin has declared that Russia is currently winning the war in Ukraine, asserting that the nation is advancing on the battlefield and dismissing any possibility of engaging in negotiations with the current Ukrainian leadership. Speaking to reporters following a summit in Kyrgyzstan, Putin offered his most comprehensive assessment of the conflict in recent weeks.
While acknowledging that Ukrainian attacks within Russian territory have caused damage, with drone strikes presenting a specific challenge, the Russian leader remained confident in his military's trajectory. He told reporters, "I have no doubt the enemy will crumble," though he provided no specific timeline for such an outcome. Putin also explicitly dismissed circulating rumors regarding a potential new military mobilization in Russia, labeling the claims "utter nonsense."
Highlighting recent tactical developments, Putin stated that Russian forces captured 270 square kilometers of the Donetsk region during August and succeeded in surrounding a significant group of Ukrainian troops. He added that Moscow’s forces are continuing their advance toward the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Furthermore, Putin indicated that Russian forces are preparing to launch massive strikes against energy infrastructure within Ukraine.
The comments followed a warning from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who cautioned airlines and passengers that Russian airspace is becoming "completely unsafe" for the duration of the conflict due to the presence of Ukrainian drones. Zelenskyy stated, "Ukraine does not threaten civilian aviation as such—not a single civilian aircraft. There will simply be drones in Russia's skies on a scale that has to be taken into account."
Putin characterized Zelenskyy’s warning as "state terrorism," stating that Moscow would find a way to respond if such threats were realized. He reiterated that negotiation with "terrorists" is not possible, though he qualified his position by stating that Moscow remains open to "concrete" talks regarding a conflict settlement if new momentum can be established.
