Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 24, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 24, 2026
On Feb 24, Putin told the FSB to step up protection of Russia’s energy and transport assets after Ukrainian strikes. He warned foes not to push Moscow too far and hinted Black Sea pipelines may be at risk, ordering stronger anti‑terror measures.
MOSCOW, Feb 24 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday ordered the FSB security service to step up protection of Russia's energy and transport infrastructure in response to Ukrainian attacks that he said were conducted with the help of Western intelligence.
Putin, speaking on the fourth anniversary of the war, said Russia's enemies would regret it if they pushed Moscow too far.
"They did not manage to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield, so the enemy is relying on individual and mass terror: this includes shelling cities, sabotaging infrastructure, and assassination attempts on government and military officials," he told an audience of FSB officials.
"There is an absolute need to defeat Russia. They are looking for any way, anything at all. They will push themselves to some extreme point, and then they will regret it," he said.
Ukraine has repeatedly attacked Russian oil depots, refineries and ports in the course of the war, and Moscow blames it for a series of assassinations of senior military figures.
Putin, in televised remarks, suggested that Russian energy pipelines under the Black Sea could be targeted.
He issued an order to "strengthen the anti-terrorist protection of energy and transport infrastructure and public gathering places, provide maximum coverage for critical facilities, and, if necessary, equip them with additional security measures."
(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, Writing by Mark Trevelan Editing by Andrew Osborn)
Putin ordered the FSB to tighten protection of Russia’s energy and transport infrastructure after Ukrainian attacks, warning adversaries not to push Moscow too far.
He cited ongoing Ukrainian strikes on oil depots, refineries and ports, and alleged Western intelligence support, arguing for stronger anti‑terror measures.
Energy pipelines and facilities, transport hubs and public gathering places, with orders for maximum coverage and additional security where necessary.
Higher security and ongoing strikes raise operational risk for Russian energy assets, potentially affecting output, exports and global oil price sentiment.
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