Putin Tells United Russia Congress Russia Faces Difficult Period Amid War in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin told delegates at the United Russia party congress that “We are going through a difficult period, but it has taught us much,” as he acknowledged Russia was facing a hard phase amid the war in Ukraine.

“Une biographie de Vladimir Poutine par Jean-Robert Raviot pour comprendre un homme complexe, qui marque l’histoire de la Russie et du monde depuis 25 ans”

Conflits

Putin said, “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,” according to TASS as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Conflits

France 24 reported that Ukrainian drone debris sparked a blaze at a major oil refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani in Russia’s Krasnodar region, while Putin said his country was “going through a difficult period” without directly referencing the strikes.

In the same reporting, Zelensky wrote on Telegram that “Our ‘long-range sanctions’ reached two oil refineries in Russia,” linking the strikes to reduced resources for what he called the Russian war machine.

The Times of India said Russian authorities reported debris from intercepted Ukrainian drones sparked a fire at the Slavyansk oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, killing one person and injuring another.

DW reported that Putin promised members of his ruling United Russia party congress that his government can ensure security amid frequent Ukrainian attacks, and he called for strengthened Russian air defense capabilities.

DW quoted Putin saying, “The first task is to quickly and significantly ramp up production of those air defense systems that are most needed,” as Ukraine stepped up long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, weapons factories and logistics infrastructure.

Devdiscourse

The Times of India said Putin insisted the Kremlin remained in control while he acknowledged “problems” as Ukraine intensified long-range attacks deep inside Russian territory.

Devdiscourse said United Russia announced it would run an injured Ukraine war veteran, Vladislav Golovin, and a television war correspondent, Yevgeny Poddubny, at the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

RBC-Ukraine reported that Putin described the current period as fateful for the country and claimed the West was allegedly unable to defeat Russia militarily and was therefore turning to other methods.

In a separate thread of Russia’s political and security narrative, Sud Ouest reported that Keir Starmer said he saluted Alexeï Navalny’s “courage face à la tyrannie” and denounced “l’intention meurtrière de Poutine.”

“At a conference of the United Russia party, President Putin promises to ensure the safety of the population”

DIE WELT

Sud Ouest also said five European countries indicated that a deadly toxin known as epibatidine was detected in laboratory analyses of samples from Navalny’s body, and it quoted their line that “Nous tenons (la Russie) pour responsable de sa mort”.

Censor.NET, quoting Russian propaganda media, said Putin claimed “Kyiv has resorted to outright terrorist acts” and asserted that Ukrainian troops are “retreating along the entire front line.”

RBC-Ukraine said Putin called Russian soldiers fighting in the war against Ukraine the “true elite” of Russia and described the West as unable to defeat Russia militarily.

Conflits | Other framed a longer arc around Putin’s leadership, saying Jean-Robert Raviot’s biography traces his accession to the presidency in 2000 and the evolution of his positions and image across four completed mandates.