Russia's Putin promises security as Ukraine ramps up attacks

Key Points:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin assured his ruling United Russia party that the government will ensure national security and protect Russia's borders amid frequent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory and infrastructure.
• Putin emphasized the need to strengthen Russia's air defense capabilities, calling for a rapid increase in production of critical air defense systems in response to Ukraine's escalating long-range drone strikes on oil refineries, weapons factories, and logistics hubs.
• Despite the attacks, Putin downplayed their impact on Russia's military operations in Ukraine, dismissing Kyiv's proposal to halt mutual long-range strikes as a tactic to avoid Russia's stronger counterstrikes.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced fresh Ukrainian drone attacks on two Russian oil refineries located far from the frontline, in the Krasnodar and Yaroslavl regions, resulting in at least one reported death.
• Ukraine has intensified its drone campaign targeting infrastructure in Crimea, a strategically important peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, causing fuel shortages, power outages, and travel disruptions, with recent attacks also affecting Moscow's oil refineries and airports.