Putin Acknowledges Ukraine Strikes Damaging Russian Economy and Society

In a rare admission, Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that Ukrainian attacks are taking a toll on Russia's economy and society. The strikes have increasingly targeted Russian oil refineries, fuel depots, pipelines, and military supplies in Crimea, disrupting critical infrastructure and fueling domestic discontent. While Putin did not provide specific figures, the impacts are becoming harder to conceal as global energy markets fluctuate and Russian households feel the pinch. This marks a shift in the Kremlin's narrative, which has long insisted that the war is going according to plan and that sanctions and military operations would not significantly affect ordinary Russians.