Speaking during meetings with government officials and in an interview with Russian state television, Putin described the impact of Ukraine’s campaign against Russian oil facilities as “not critical,” rejected renewed ceasefire proposals and reiterated that Russia would continue the war until its strategic objectives were achieved.

The comments came after the Russian military launched an 11-hour overnight barrage against Kyiv that killed at least 21 people, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attack ranked among the deadliest assaults on the Ukrainian capital since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than four years ago.

Ukraine has intensified long-range strikes against Russian oil refineries and energy facilities in recent months, carrying out more than 50 reported attacks on infrastructure in Russia and Russian-controlled Crimea since March. Ukrainian officials have said the campaign is intended to pressure Moscow by disrupting the economic foundations supporting the war effort.

Analysts say the strikes have inflicted substantial damage on Russia’s refining sector. Chris Weafer, chief executive of consultancy Macro-Advisory, estimated that roughly one-third of Russia’s refining capacity has been taken offline, with repairs expected to require significant time and investment.

One of Moscow’s principal refineries has been struck twice despite extensive air defense systems protecting the capital. A second attack on June 18 triggered a major fire and damaged key processing equipment that reports indicate may not be fully repaired before the end of the year.

Russian government statistics show gasoline production has fallen by approximately 17 percent to about 850,000 barrels per day. Fuel rationing has been introduced in several regions, while motorists have reported waiting for hours to purchase gasoline.

The shortages have been particularly severe in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Authorities there have suspended gasoline sales to private consumers as supplies remain under pressure.

During a government meeting last weekend, Putin acknowledged Russia was experiencing a “difficult period” but characterized the shortages as temporary. He said the government would accelerate repairs to damaged refineries, consider importing gasoline if necessary and expand production of air defense systems to counter future Ukrainian attacks.

Putin argued that Kyiv’s strikes on Russian energy facilities were intended to divide Russian society, undermine public confidence and force Moscow into negotiations on terms favorable to Ukraine and its allies.

“We will not give them that chance,” Putin said.

Although Putin maintained that attacks on Russian energy infrastructure had “absolutely no effect on the situation at the front,” Western military analysts say Ukrainian strikes have complicated Russian logistics and contributed to slowing Moscow’s battlefield momentum, producing a more prolonged military stalemate.

The Russian president also rejected proposals by Ukraine and its Western allies for a ceasefire, arguing that any pause in fighting would allow Ukrainian forces to regroup and replenish their military capabilities.

Putin reiterated that any settlement would require Ukraine to withdraw from territory it still controls in the Donetsk region, abandon its ambition of joining NATO, reduce its armed forces and provide guarantees for the protection of the Russian language and culture. Ukraine has rejected those conditions.

He also claimed Ukraine had privately proposed limiting combat operations to the four regions that Russia has annexed but does not fully control—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. According to the Kremlin, the proposal was communicated through confidential diplomatic channels, although Ukrainian officials have not publicly confirmed such discussions.

Putin further dismissed a Ukrainian proposal to halt long-range strikes inside each other’s territory, arguing that Russia’s ability to conduct deep strikes was significantly greater than Ukraine’s.

While Russia says its missile and drone attacks target military infrastructure, Thursday’s assault on Kyiv struck residential areas in addition to other locations. Ukrainian strikes inside Russia have primarily targeted oil refineries, weapons production facilities and other military-related infrastructure.

According to the United Nations, more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the conflict began.