Russian President Vladimir Putin says Ukraine has opened a Pandora’s box with its attacks on Russian economic targets. He warned that Moscow will strike back at Ukraine’s most sensitive economic sectors.
Putin made the remarks on Saturday, August 22, in an interview with Russian state television, DR reports. According to the Danish broadcaster, Putin said the government in Kyiv set out to damage Russia’s economy and in doing so opened the box itself.
The expression refers to Greek mythology and describes an act that triggers uncontrollable consequences. Putin added that Russia will always respond to attacks on its territory and logistics, according to the state news agency Tass as cited by DR. He said a response always comes.
Over the summer of 2026, Ukraine has increased its drone attacks on Russian economic infrastructure. Targets have included oil facilities and warehouses belonging to the large online retailer Wildberries. Kyiv describes the infrastructure as central to Russia’s war effort.
Russia has responded with strikes on Ukrainian targets, including the grain exports that pass through the Black Sea. Putin claimed the Russian attacks will not cause a global food shortage, saying Russia can replace Ukrainian exports. He acknowledged challenges in shipping Russian goods, but said those problems will be solved.
Russia and Ukraine previously observed an agreement brokered by Turkey to protect grain exports through the Black Sea. Moscow withdrew from that deal in 2023.
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How other outlets covered the interview
Reuters reports the same warning about retaliation against Ukraine’s most sensitive economic sectors, citing comments published Saturday. The agency links the timing to the intensified Ukrainian drone campaign against Russian refineries and retail warehouses.
TRT World adds that Putin said Ukrainian drone and missile strikes had caused economic damage and casualties in Russia. According to the outlet, he argued the attacks had not changed the situation on the battlefield. He also said Russia has increased strikes on Ukrainian defense industry plants and logistics sites, including in Kyiv.
Izvestia reports that the interview was given to the state outlet Vesti after Putin attended a United Russia party congress. Per the same report, the conversation also covered the front line and conditions for possible peace talks. Putin described Ukraine’s aim as the destruction of entire sectors of the Russian economy.
Ukraine’s government rejected that account the same day. The Center for Strategic Communications called the claim that Kyiv opened Pandora’s box false, according to UNN. The center said Moscow is presenting deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure as a legitimate response, and noted such strikes have continued for more than four years.
