President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on October 2, 2026, that Vladimir Putin had ordered Russian military commanders to abandon the rules of war in their airstrikes on Ukraine.
Intelligence intercepts
In an interview with the Financial Times, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence obtained the information through intercepts. He said the order came in September, when Russia intensified strikes on Kyiv, hitting schools, hospitals and data centres, and that lifting the restrictions led to a sharp rise in strikes on civilian targets.
Kremlin denial
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the newspaper that Russian forces do not strike civilian infrastructure.
Winter plans
Zelenskyy said Russia is preparing to step up attacks on Kharkiv, Odesa and Lviv to isolate them by winter. Ukrainian officials also say Russia plans to strike nuclear facilities to cut their power and force concessions in early 2027.
“Not enough”
Asked whether allies were doing everything possible to help Kyiv, Zelenskyy said: “Not enough, of course, not enough.” About half of Ukraine’s F-16s are reportedly in long-term repair in Europe.
Sources
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