Putin brushes off mobilization reports as 'absolute nonsense,' threatens mass strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector

On September 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed reports of another possible mobilization in Russia as "absolute nonsense," claiming it was an "information attack" on his country. This came during a press conference following the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan, where he was asked about such reports following upcoming State Duma elections. "This is absolute nonsense. This is an information attack on Russia," Putin said, cutting off a journalist mid-question.

Putin also threatened mass strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, stating that he had ordered Russian military preparations for "massive strikes" against the country's energy facilities. He asserted these strikes were in retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries and other infrastructure. Putin alleged that Ukrainian drones had attempted to penetrate Moscow and St. Petersburg's air defenses and strike three oil refineries on September 1.

The Russian Defense Ministry has previously threatened additional large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy sector, framing them as retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russia's fuel and energy infrastructure. This threat of attacks has intensified since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with attacks targeting Ukraine's power grid and civilian energy infrastructure, particularly during colder months to disrupt electricity and heating.