Putin warns Ukraine has 'opened the gates of hell' with attacks on Russian economic targets

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Ukraine has 'opened the gates of hell' by launching strikes on Russian economic targets.

In an interview with Vesti newspaper, as reported by Al Arabiya, Putin added that Russia had responded with its most severe strikes yet, targeting Ukraine's economy.

Putin stated that the Ukrainian government aimed to harm Russia's economy, but in doing so, 'has opened the gates of hell for itself.' He warned, 'So, expect a response targeting your most sensitive economic sectors.'

The Russian president stressed that recent strikes, which have threatened Ukraine's agricultural exports, would not cause a global food shortage because Russia could compensate for Ukrainian exports. Even as Kyiv targets Russian grain export infrastructure, he noted, 'We are already facing challenges shipping our goods, but we will resolve these issues. Therefore, there will be no shortage in the global market.'

Putin also told Vesti that Russian armed forces' strikes on Ukraine have had a 'positive and direct impact' on the course of military operations.

Earlier this summer, Ukraine intensified drone attacks on Russian economic infrastructure, including oil refineries and warehouses of online retailers, aiming to destroy facilities it says are crucial to Russia's war effort. Russia has retaliated with strikes on Ukrainian economic infrastructure, including grain exports via the Black Sea.