Putin threatens to destroy Ukraine's infrastructure by next year

Kremlin's stance on Ukrainian infrastructure

According to information published by Financial Times, Vladimir Putin expressed the conviction that by next year, Ukraine may be left with no critical infrastructure. In his position, he emphasises that the state may lose "no bridges, no ports, no railways, no power plants" (ні мостів, ні портів, ні залізниць, ні електростанцій).

The publication's sources note that Russia intends to continue striking Ukrainian infrastructure facilities until Kyiv accepts the Russian side's demands.

Reasons for the escalation of rhetoric

As Financial Times highlights, such threatening statements from the Russian leader may serve as a response to summer attacks by Ukrainian drones targeting Russian oil refineries.

Prospects for peace negotiations

Against the backdrop of such an escalation in rhetorical pressure and threats of physical destruction of infrastructure facilities, reaching an agreement on a ceasefire during the negotiations scheduled for next week in Abu Dhabi appears unlikely.