Vladimir Putin has admitted his forces have faced problems in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine as he warned of fuel shortages due to Ukraine’s growing attacks.
“Yes, we see the problems, we are aware of them and are responding to them, but we will certainly ensure the security of both the country and our citizens, as well as the inviolability of Russia’s borders,” Putin said in his address to party members at the congress of United Russia.
Putin said fuel supply problems have created shortages in Russia as Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to continue strikes after Ukrainian drones struck two oil refineries overnight on Saturday.
Fire erupted at an oil refinery in the southern Krasnodar region and in the Yaroslavl region on Sunday, as Kyiv continued energy infrastructure attacks that have caused acute fuel shortages in parts of Russia.
“We continue our operations that weaken Russia’s ability to wage this war. Each of our long-range sanctions means fewer resources serving Russia’s war machine, and another step toward peace,” Zelensky said.
The attacks come as Zelensky told Putin to “get out of Ukraine” and “take that step toward peace” after approving a 40-day offensive to “influence” Russia to end the war.
What Putin told his United party congress
Vladimir Putin gave a rare acknowledgement of the impacts of Ukraine’s medium- and long-range drone campaign, as he spoke about several issues plaguing his invasion of Ukraine.
Here’s what he said:
On Ukraine’s drone campaign:
“The first task is to quickly and significantly ramp up production of those air defence systems that are most needed.”
“All the strikes, wherever they hit our infrastructure, absolutely do not affect the situation on the front, on the line of combat contact,” he said.
On peace talks with Ukraine:
Putin said Russia was expecting a resumption of US-led diplomatic efforts to end the war and a new visit to Moscow by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner once the “hot phase” of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran was resolved.
On continuing attacks on the war’s frontline:
Vladimir Putin said he was rejecting what he said was a new proposal by Kyiv to rein in hostilities in the conflict and Russia would press ahead with its battlefield aim of fully capturing four Ukrainian regions.
He said Moscow saw it as a means to relieve pressure on Kyiv’s forces along the two sides’ 1,250km (775mile) front line and would not be distracted by it.
“It is clear why this proposal is being made, because our counter-strikes deep into Ukrainian territory are much stronger, have greater impact and are, frankly, more destructive,” Putin claimed.
“Given their catastrophic shortage of personnel, the Ukrainian Armed Forces apparently believe this could be their salvation. But saving the Kyiv regime is not part of our plans,” he claimed.
On fuel supply shortages amid attacks on oil refineries:
Putin, addressing a meeting of senior officials on fuel supply and distribution, said Russia had to minimise the effects of Ukrainian drone strikes on oil installations linked to the shortages.
He called for measures to ensure supplies for the farm sector and said a ban on diesel exports was under consideration.
“You are well aware that problems for drivers and for businesses persist,” Putin told the meeting, according to accounts published by Russian news agencies. “Unfortunately, there are still queues at gas stations too.”
He added: “We have to reduce to a minimum the impact of terrorist attacks on our civilian targets and infrastructure.”
Putin said gasoline reserves were being used and now stood at 1.7 million metric tons and that July production levels should exceed those recorded in June. He said a ban on diesel exports, under discussion for some time, was being considered.
“The need to introduce a complete ban on the export of diesel fuel is being considered,” he told participants.
German foreign minister and US counterpart to discuss new burden-sharing arrangement in Nato
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul and his US counterpart Marco Rubio will discuss a new burden-sharing arrangement within Nato at a meeting in Washington this week, Wadephul said this morning.
Wadephul and Rubio will discuss “how we can achieve a new burden-sharing arrangement within the alliance and secure stable, long-term support for Ukraine at next week’s Nato summit in Ankara”.
“Support that will make Moscow realise that it is finally time to end the killing in Ukraine and come to the negotiating table,” Wadephul added in a statement.
Biden accuses Trump of ‘destroying Nato’ and siding with Putin
Joe Biden accused Donald Trump of “destroying Nato” and “choosing [Vladimir] Putin over American allies.”
Speaking from a Democratic Party fundraising gala in Maryland on Saturday, the former US president took several jabs at Trump.
He said: “It’s not just his deliberate distortion and destruction of Nato and his choosing Putin over American allies or the fact that he’s diminished our standing in the eyes of the world more than any president in history has,” Kyiv Independent reported.
President Trump has heavily criticised Nato and threatened to pull out of the alliance over European members’ lack of support in the Iran war.
Lukashenko says ties with China ‘at historic peak’
Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko said China-Belarus ties are at their “historic peak” as he met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing for talks this morning.
“This is exactly what we talked with you before,” Lukashenko replied, according to the Telegram post.
“And perhaps, to some extent, what we had dreamed of on the eve of this global cooperation between Belarus and… China.”
Lukashenko’s visit to China comes after he held talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin last week.
Putin admits Russia facing problems in Ukraine war: ‘Aware of them’
Vladimir Putin has admitted his forces have faced problems in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine as he warned of fuel shortages due to Ukraine’s growing attacks.
“Yes, we see the problems, we are aware of them and are responding to them, but we will certainly ensure the security of both the country and our citizens, as well as the inviolability of Russia’s borders,” Putin said yesterday, speaking at the congress of his ruling party, United Russia.
“We will undoubtedly overcome all the challenges facing us today, including terrorist attacks on our territory and infrastructure facilities,” the Russian president added.
Putin acknowledged at the meeting in the Kremlin with government ministers and other officials that the strikes had triggered fuel shortages in various Russian regions but that Russia was dealing with them.
In a separate conversation with Russian state television interviewer, Putin said Russia needed to boost its air defence capacity to counter intensified Ukrainian drone attacks aimed mainly at its oil industry.
Xi Jinping meets Belarusian president in Beijing
Chinese president Xi Jinping has met with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing this morning, reported China’s state news agency CCTV.
In full: Putin acknowledges fuel shortages, task force set up to ensure supplies
Vladimir Putin acknowledged on Sunday that fuel supply problems had created shortages in Russian regions and a task force was working on ensuring sufficient quantities were provided throughout the country.
Putin, addressing a meeting of senior officials on fuel supply and distribution, said Russia had to minimise the effects of Ukrainian drone strikes on oil installations linked to the shortages.
He called for measures to ensure supplies for the farm sector and said a ban on diesel exports was under consideration.
“You are well aware that problems for drivers and for businesses persist,” Putin told the meeting, according to accounts published by Russian news agencies. “Unfortunately, there are still queues at gas stations too.”
He added: “We have to reduce to a minimum the impact of terrorist attacks on our civilian targets and infrastructure.”
Ukraine has stepped up medium and long-range attacks on industrial targets in Russia and Russian-controlled territories inside Ukraine, focusing mainly on the oil sector.
Putin said gasoline reserves were being used and now stood at 1.7 million metric tons and that July production levels should exceed those recorded in June. He said a ban on diesel exports, under discussion for some time, was being considered.
“The need to introduce a complete ban on the export of diesel fuel is being considered,” he told participants.
Russian deputy prime minister Alexander Novak had earlier said there was no need for Russia to ban diesel exports, Interfax news agency reported.
A task force on fuel supplies was working round the clock, Putin said, adding the situation required “systemic measures that match the scale of current challenges” to increase supply and keep prices at a reasonable level.
Supplying agriculture, he said, was particularly important.
“We need to make every effort to ensure that all seasonal fuel supply schedules are maintained for agro-industrial enterprises, because the harvest depends on it,” Putin said.
Ukrainian brigade commander found dead – report
A senior military commander of Ukraine army was found dead yesterday, officials said.
Colonel Volodymyr Konnikov, the commander of Ukraine’s 154th Separate Mechanised Brigade, was reportedly found dead, Ukraine’s Operational Command South said, adding that circumstances were under investigation.
“On Sunday, 28 June, the commander of the 154th Separate Mechanised Brigade, Colonel Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Konnikov, was found dead. The circumstances of the officer’s death are being investigated,” the command said in a statement.
“Colonel Volodymyr Kononnikov was an officer devoted to Ukraine and the military, a responsible commander who cared about the personnel and needs of his unit,” it added.
However, Zaporizhzhia regional police later said that a commander of a military unit had been found dead with a gunshot wound, but did not name Konnikov.
The circumstances surrounding the death have not been disclosed but officials have launched an investigation.
A criminal case under Article 115 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which covers intentional homicide has been opened.
“Police are establishing the circumstances surrounding the death of the military officer,” the Zaporizhzhia regional police said in a statement.
“The commander of one of the military units was found dead with a gunshot wound,” it said.
Putin says battlefield attacks to continue regardless of Ukraine’s peace proposals
Vladimir Putin said Russia will press ahead with its battlefield aim of fully capturing four Ukrainian regions, rejecting what he said was a new proposal by Kyiv to rein in hostilities in Russia’s more than four-year-old war on Ukraine.
In his television interview, the Russian president said Ukraine had proposed a mutual halt to long-range strikes as a step towards peace.
But Moscow saw it as a means to relieve pressure on Kyiv’s forces along the two sides’ 1,250km (775mile) front line and would not be distracted by it.
“It is clear why this proposal is being made, because our counter-strikes deep into Ukrainian territory are much stronger, have greater impact and are, frankly, more destructive,” Putin claimed.
“Given their catastrophic shortage of personnel, the Ukrainian Armed Forces apparently believe this could be their salvation. But saving the Kyiv regime is not part of our plans,” he claimed.
The office of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has not immediately issued a comment on Putin’s remarks.
Russian attacks kill five in Ukraine, local officials say
Russian attacks killed at least four people on Sunday in Ukraine’s southeastand northeast and one in Sumy, regional officials said.
Strikes on the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia killed two people and injured 16, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram.
Pictures posted online by the governor showed a building ablaze and parts of a neighborhood reduced to rubble.
In the northeastern border region of Kharkiv, a frequent Russian target, a missile strike on the town of Zmiiv killed one person and injured eight, including two children, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said.
Police in the Kharkiv region also said an officer was killed as he was trying to organise the evacuation of residents in another community further north.
In the Sumy region, also on the Russian border, the regional governor said an elderly woman was killed during the day in an area near the border.
Arpan Rai29 June 2026 03:47NewerOlder