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Putin Scraps Air-Strike Rules in Ukraine, Zelenskyy Says, Escalating Tensions with NATO
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Firstpost•02-10-2026, 18:32
Putin Scraps Air-Strike Rules in Ukraine, Zelenskyy Says, Escalating Tensions with NATO
- •Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims Putin ordered the military to remove restrictions on air campaigns in Ukraine, citing intercepted intelligence.
- •Zelenskyy stated the order was issued in September, leading to increased Russian aerial attacks on civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals.
- •Tensions are rising between Russia and European countries over alleged hybrid attacks and Moscow's warnings about a potential confrontation with NATO.
- •Putin reiterated Russia's readiness to use its full arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory if directly attacked, specifically mentioning Kaliningrad.
- •NATO denounced Russia's nuclear rhetoric, affirming its defensive nature and stating that its activities pose no risk to any part of Russia.
Key Questions Answered
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military leadership to drop previous restrictions governing air campaigns in Ukraine, citing intercepted communications that indicated there are no rules now.
NATO denounced Russia's threats and nuclear rhetoric, with spokesperson Allison Hart and Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasizing that NATO is a defensive alliance whose activities pose no risk to Russia, while urging Moscow to stop its unprovoked war.
Recent Russian aerial attacks have targeted civilian infrastructure including schools, hospitals, data centres, Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences, and one of the capital's main bridges.
