Russian President Vladimir Putin said recent Russian strikes against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities and ports have been effective and have helped Russian forces carry out their military objectives along the front line.

Putin made the remarks in an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin following the United Russia party congress. During the conversation, Putin also discussed the upcoming elections, the United Russia party’s political programme and the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Putin explains why he attended United Russia congress

Zarubin first asked Putin why he had attended the United Russia congress for the second time in just over a month.

Putin said the upcoming elections were one reason for his participation. He also noted that he had been involved in founding the party and therefore considered it natural to support it.

Putin thanked all parliamentary parties for what he described as their statesmanlike and patriotic positions, as well as their support for Russia and efforts to address important challenges facing the country.

He also highlighted the United Russia programme for the coming years, describing it as an important and fundamental document outlining the party’s approach to Russia’s development.

Putin said political parties often face pressure during election campaigns to make attractive promises to voters. He argued that such promises can sometimes be made without sufficient professional analysis, consideration of financing or assessment of possible consequences.

According to Putin, United Russia has tried to avoid what he described as populism and instead pursue a careful, professional and responsible approach.

Putin says Russian strikes are affecting Ukraine’s military logistics

Zarubin then asked Putin about Russia’s recent increase in the intensity and number of strikes against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities and ports.

Putin said the strikes were effective and timely. According to his assessment, they hinder Ukraine’s ability to deliver military equipment and ammunition and to rotate personnel along the front line.

He also claimed that the strikes disrupt the ability of Ukrainian defence-industry enterprises to improve weapons and equipment. Putin said Western countries were directly involved in supporting these efforts, rather than merely providing indirect assistance.

Putin argued that these factors have a direct impact on the conduct of military operations and Russia’s ability to pursue its military objectives.

Putin blames Ukraine and Western countries for escalation

Asked why the escalation had occurred, Putin described the latest developments as the result of what he called another “adventure” by the Kyiv government and its Western supporters.

Putin claimed that Ukraine and its Western partners had sought to achieve another “strategic defeat” of Russia through a large-scale campaign of missile and drone attacks.

According to Putin, the stated objective of the campaign was to target Russian civilian facilities and logistics infrastructure over a period of 40 days. He claimed that broader objectives included damaging important sectors of Russia’s economy, undermining social unity and weakening cohesion within Russian society.

Putin said the 40-day period ended on August 5 and questioned what he described as the overall result of the campaign.

He acknowledged that attacks against civilian and largely unprotected facilities can cause economic damage and result in casualties. Putin emphasized that the loss of every individual is a tragedy for families, loved ones and the country as a whole.

Putin also accused Ukrainian forces and what he described as neo-Nazi elements of continuing to commit crimes against civilians. He compared what he called their conduct with actions carried out by Nazi forces during World War II.

Putin says the outcome was opposite to Ukraine’s expectations

Despite the economic damage and casualties resulting from attacks, Putin argued that the overall outcome had been different from what he claimed Ukraine and its Western supporters had expected.

According to the Russian president, Moscow’s response and the subsequent Russian strikes have affected Ukraine’s military logistics, including the movement of equipment, ammunition and personnel.

Putin therefore presented the latest escalation as part of a broader confrontation involving Russia, Ukraine and Western countries. He argued that Russia’s military response has helped its forces at the front while also disrupting Ukraine’s ability to maintain and develop its military capabilities.

The comments come amid continued fighting between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides continuing to conduct missile and drone strikes against targets behind the front lines. Russia maintains that its military operations are aimed at achieving its strategic objectives, while Ukraine and its Western supporters continue to reject Moscow’s justification for the war.

Disclaimer: This article is based on statements attributed to Russian President Vladimir Putin during an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin. The claims and assessments presented, particularly regarding military effectiveness, casualties, targets and the actions of Ukraine and Western countries, reflect the statements of the speaker and have not necessarily been independently verified