Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly issued orders to abandon the rules of war, according to Ukrainian intelligence intercepted by Kyiv. The directive, allegedly given in September, coincides with a surge in attacks on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, Ukrainian officials stated.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Financial Times that Putin’s order removed restrictions previously governing Russian air campaigns. Zelensky added that the Kremlin is preparing to intensify strikes on major Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Lviv, while also targeting nuclear facilities to disrupt energy grids.
The reported escalation follows Ukraine’s increased strikes on Russian oil refineries, ports, and warehouses, which Moscow claims have worsened shortages and fueled civilian anger in Russia. Putin separately warned that Russia could use ‘all weapons’ in its arsenal in response to perceived aggression from European countries, citing NATO military drills in the Baltic Sea and the seizure of Russian vessels as provocations.
Kremlin Denies Targeting Civilians
The Russian government has not publicly confirmed the reported order to abandon war rules. In a statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia’s position that its military operations are directed solely at military targets and denied allegations of deliberate civilian harm. Peskov accused Western nations of escalating tensions through arms supplies to Ukraine and provocative military exercises near Russia’s borders.
Western and Ukrainian Responses
Ukrainian officials allege that Russia’s strategy includes pressuring European nations by forcing Ukrainian refugees into countries where anti-immigrant sentiment is rising. Meanwhile, Western leaders have condemned the reported escalation, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating that Putin’s rhetoric and actions risk further destabilizing the region.
Intelligence and Verification
Zelensky cited intercepted communications as the source of the claim about Putin’s order, though he did not provide further details on the intelligence-gathering methods. Independent verification of the directive has not been publicly confirmed. Ukrainian defense analysts note that while civilian casualties have risen in recent weeks, attributing specific attacks to a formal policy shift remains difficult without corroborating evidence.
Background: Escalation Timeline
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has accused Moscow of repeatedly violating international humanitarian law through indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes. The United Nations has documented thousands of civilian deaths, though both sides have attributed blame to the other. Russia has consistently denied targeting civilians, framing its actions as necessary to neutralize military threats.
The reported order to abandon war rules, if confirmed, would mark a significant departure from Russia’s previous military doctrine, which nominally adhered to Geneva Convention protocols. However, the lack of transparent evidence from either side leaves the claim unverified at this time.