Putin has told military leaders to abandon rules of war, Zelenskyy says

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1. 2h ago

   Zelenskyy: Putin Ordered Military to Abandon Rules of War

   President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports that Vladimir Putin ordered Russian military leaders to abandon the rules of war and remove restraints on airstrikes. This directive, allegedly revealed through intercepted Kremlin communications, took effect in September. The new policy targets civilians and nuclear energy sites to force residents to flee Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa before winter. In response, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine will increase attacks on Russian oil refineries to counter this shift in Moscow's air strike doctrine.

   Why it matters

   The escalation targets key urban centers to isolate them during the winter months. This shift represents a move toward targeting critical infrastructure and non-combatants. Ukraine maintains these attacks are a sign of Russian desperation.

   What is confirmed

   • Vladimir Putin ordered military leaders to abandon the rules of war.
   • The order includes stepping up attacks on civilian targets and nuclear energy sites.
   • Russia aims to force residents to leave Kyiv and other cities.
   • Ukraine intends to hit Russian refineries in response to the new air strike doctrine.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Russia plans to intensify attacks on Kharkiv and Odesa specifically to isolate them in winter.

   What to watch next

   • Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil reserves.
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. Financial Times — Putin has told military leaders to abandon rules of war, Zelenskyy says
   2. The Daily Beast — Putin Humiliated as His Desperate Order Is Exposed
   3. Українська правда — Zelenskyy on Russian strikes on Kyiv: They want Ukrainians to leave the capital
   4. Kyiv Post — Russia Wants to Force Kyiv Residents Out of Capital, Zelensky Says
   5. The Independent — Putin tells generals to abandon rules of war as Russia targets Kyiv civilians
   6. Yahoo — Russia plans to intensify attacks on Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa to isolate them in winter, FT says
   7. TVP World — Zelenskyy says Putin ordered Russian army to abandon rules of war
   8. New York Post — Putin orders military leaders to target civilians and nuclear facilities, Zelensky warns: ‘No rules now’
   9. Semafor — Russian fear-mongering stokes fears of military escalation
   10. The Independent — Ukraine latest: Zelensky warns Putin is abandoning rules as Russia strikes key bridge
   11. united24media.com — Putin Ordered Russian Military to Abandon Any Restraints on ...
   12. nypost.com — Putin orders Russian troops to abandon rules of war: Zelensky
   confidence 90%