Putin Acknowledges Damage from Ukrainian Strikes as Tensions Escalate
By Editor • August 20, 2026 • 2 min read
In a rare admission, President Vladimir Putin acknowledged on Wednesday that Ukrainian attacks are inflicting harm on Russia, stating, "Of course, such attacks have not caused, and could not cause, critical consequences. However, they do inflict damage; this is obvious, and we fully understand and acknowledge it." His comments came during a conference with ministers and business leaders focused on economic matters.
As Ukraine intensifies its long-range strikes targeting crucial energy infrastructure, significant financial repercussions are being felt within Russia. Amid fears of potential government intervention in the banking sector to fund the war effort, Russians have been withdrawing substantial amounts from banks. Reports suggest that nearly 286.4 billion rubles (approximately $3.4 billion) were withdrawn in just the first two weeks of August alone, following a record outflow of $7.3 billion in July.
Alexandra Prokopenko, a former adviser to the Russian Central Bank, commented, “This is all a consequence of the fear that the government will do something with the banking system, that it could nationalize deposits.”
Meanwhile, violence continues in Ukraine, with the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, reporting that at least five people were killed and 23 injured due to Russian missile strikes early today. The attacks damaged numerous buildings, leaving parts of the capital without power and causing a fire in a nine-story residential structure.
In the context of the ongoing conflict, reports have surfaced regarding the deployment of British-built drones by Ukraine targeting Russian facilities. These drone strikes have reportedly reached as far as Moscow, leading Russia to issue warnings of potential consequences. The Russian embassy in the UK accused Britain of escalating the crisis by supplying Ukraine with advanced weaponry.
In other developments, Ukraine's parliament has confirmed Yevhenii Khmara as the new defense minister, following the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov. Khmara's appointment received overwhelming support, reflecting ongoing changes in Ukraine's government amid the war.
Additionally, a Ukrainian man was arrested in Croatia for his alleged involvement in the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions in 2022, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
Source: www.independent.co.uk
