Putin Orders Retaliatory Strikes on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he has ordered the country’s military to commence widespread retaliatory strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Putin added that Russian forces are accelerating their offensive operations within the special military operation zone. The Russian President further indicated that various sources have reported the following developments: In August, 270 square kilometers of territory in the Donetsk People’s Republic and 15 settlements came under Russian control. Russian forces are approaching the eastern outskirts of Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and the southern outskirts of Druzhkivka. Units from the ‘Center’ group are advancing on various key axes and are engaged in street fighting in Dobropillya. Subunits of the ‘West’ group have surrounded and begun to destroy a major enemy stronghold on the eastern bank of the Oskil River. The Russian army is now 12 kilometers away from a secondary road in Sumy. Russian forces are establishing a security zone in the border regions of Sumy and Kharkiv. Russian forces are actively advancing around Zaporizhzhia, with nine settlements liberated in August. Putin also commented on communications between U.S. and Russian intelligence officials, stating that any negotiations must have clear substance and that the negotiation process regarding Ukraine is currently stalled. He added that ‘Witkoff and Kushner are always welcome guests in Russia, and Moscow is pleased to cooperate with them.’