Vladimir Putin warns anyone who tries to "swallow" Russia will face a strong response
Putin said Moscow will seek ways to respond if threats to civil aviation are realized, after Ukrainian warnings about attacks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on September 2, 2026 that any actor attempting to "swallow" Russia would face a strong response, and he dismissed attempts to weaken Moscow's position as dangerous for those who make them.
Putin links threats to wider security concerns
Speaking about the situation linked to Ukraine and broader security risks, Putin said Moscow would look for ways to reply if threats directed at civil aviation were carried out. "If someone tries to swallow Russia, they may get a punch in the teeth," he said.
The president framed the message as a general warning to those who would seek to put Russia in a weaker position, stressing that Moscow would not leave certain threats unanswered.
The remarks came amid rising tensions after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on August 31, 2026 announced attacks on Russia. Zelensky said that "anyone flying to Moscow and Saint Petersburg is in serious danger," a comment that Moscow says raises risks to civil aviation.
Russia and Ukraine have now been at war for five years, a conflict that continues to shape security calculations across the region.
Photo: press material from the event
