Putin Claims Russia Will Target Ukraine's Most Sensitive Economic Sectors

[Global Times Special Correspondent in Russia, Xiao Xinxin] According to TASS, Russian President Putin stated on the 22nd that in response to the attacks by the Ukrainian armed forces on Russian civilian targets, the Russian military has intensified its strikes on Ukrainian enterprises. Ukraine's attempt to undermine the Russian economy is "opening the 'Pandora's box' on its own," and Russia will target the most sensitive areas of the Ukrainian economy. He also mentioned that it is still too early to discuss what might form the basis of a future peace agreement. Additionally, according to a report from the Ukrainian news agency on the 23rd, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated to the media that Russia has begun to escalate the situation in an attempt to curb Ukraine's defensive capabilities, and Ukraine is also retaliating.

Russia's second-largest e-commerce platform becomes a new target for Ukraine

Reuters reported on the 22nd that both Russia and Ukraine are ramping up their drone offensives aimed at crippling each other's economic infrastructure. Since this summer, Ukraine has particularly intensified attacks on Russian oil refineries and warehouses of e-commerce platforms. According to TASS, Putin stated on the 22nd that the Ukrainian military has continuously used missiles and drones to attack Russian civilian and logistics facilities over the past 40 days, which is "another adventure" by Ukraine and its Western supporters, aimed at causing a strategic failure for Russia. Russia is retaliating against Ukraine with increased strikes on Ukrainian defense industry enterprises. He also said that the Ukrainian military's actions have not achieved their expected goals and have not affected the situation on the front lines; the Russian military continues to launch offensives in various directions and has strengthened its offensive capabilities.

According to RBC—Ukrainian news agency on the 23rd, after continuously striking a large number of logistics warehouses of Russia's largest e-commerce platform, Wildberries, for over a month, Ukraine has begun to "target" Russia's second-largest e-commerce platform, Ozon. Reports indicate that Ozon's warehouses in Russia's Samara and Orenburg regions were attacked by Ukrainian forces on the 22nd and 23rd, respectively.

Reuters stated that Ukraine believes this is part of a broader action aimed at targeting the economic infrastructure that supports the Russian military's war against Ukraine. Reports indicate that since the Ukrainian drone attack on Wildberries warehouses on July 18, more than one-fifth of the company's storage capacity has been damaged. The Russian version of Forbes magazine stated that the damage caused by the attacks on Wildberries warehouses alone could amount to 600 billion to 800 billion rubles (1,000 rubles is approximately 81.3 yuan). In addition, Ukraine's attacks on Russian vessels and energy facilities are also ongoing.

Ukraine calls for coordinated additional air defense missile assistance

According to the Ukrainian news agency, Zelensky stated on the 23rd that Ukraine hopes to stockpile 300 "Patriot" air defense system interceptors for this winter, although the Ukrainian military has requested 360. Ukraine is working with other countries to find solutions. Russia can produce up to 1,300 ballistic missiles per year and currently possesses 600 to 630. It is expected that Russia will primarily target Ukraine's energy infrastructure this winter, especially Kyiv. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba stated on the 22nd that despite numerous difficulties, Ukraine is actively cooperating with countries capable of providing assistance, striving for every interceptor missile.

Zelensky stated on the 22nd that he spoke on the phone with French President Macron for about two hours that day, and the latter expressed willingness to assist Ukraine in communicating with allies that have stocks of "Patriot" interceptors. Both sides agreed to expedite the delivery of legal equipment and missiles to Ukraine, and France will also provide Ukraine with production licenses for relevant missiles. Reuters reported that Ukraine is still waiting for the delivery of the new SAMP/T-NG air defense missile system from Europe. This system is jointly developed by France and Italy, using the "Aster" interceptor missile, and has ballistic missile defense capabilities. The delivery of this system is not expected before next spring.

The prospects for peace remain unclear

According to TASS, Putin also stated on the 22nd that some of the proposals received by Russia regarding the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict are "strange" and "unacceptable." These proposals are a "probe" into various possible agreements, which have appeared in various forms before but are now presented in different ways. Russia is always willing to engage in dialogue on peace issues, but the premise must be based on the current battlefield realities. It is still too early to discuss the basis on which a possible agreement could be reached.      

According to the Ukrainian news agency, Zelensky stated on the 23rd that Ukraine, along with its American and European partners, has discussed a plan to end the war, which includes a ceasefire, mutual withdrawal of Ukrainian and Russian forces in the Donbas region, and the establishment of a buffer zone managed by a third party called the "Free Economic Zone." However, Russia insists on the unilateral withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donbas region. Kuleba stated on the 22nd that we are at a critical moment to accelerate the peace process. Ukraine's principled position is that true peace can only be achieved with active European participation in the negotiations.