Zelensky says Putin ordered Russian commanders to drop air-war restrictions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Financial Times that Vladimir Putin ordered Russian commanders in September to abandon the rules of war in airstrikes, citing intercepted intelligence. The Kremlin says its forces do not strike civilian infrastructure.
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The story, neutrally told
MixedUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Financial Times that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military commanders to abandon the rules of war in airstrikes on Ukraine. MeduzaLC “Vladimir Putin ordered his military commanders to abandon the rules of war in airstrikes on Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Financial Times in an interview” Read at Meduza ↗ Daily MailR “Speaking to the Financial Times, Zelensky said Putin gave the order in September” Read at Daily Mail ↗ MixedZelensky said Ukrainian intelligence obtained the information through intercepts, and that Putin allegedly said 'there are no rules now'. The claim has not been independently verified in the coverage. MeduzaLC “Ukrainian intelligence agencies obtained the information through intercepts, he said.” Read at Meduza ↗ Daily MailR “with the Russian president allegedly stating 'there are no rules now'” Read at Daily Mail ↗ LeftZelensky said lifting the restrictions led to a sharp increase in strikes on civilian targets, as Russia stepped up attacks on Kyiv in September, hitting schools, hospitals and data centres. MeduzaLC “Lifting those restrictions led to a sharp increase in strikes on civilian targets.”“hitting schools, hospitals, and data centers” Read at Meduza ↗
LeftKremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the newspaper that Russian forces do not strike civilian infrastructure. MeduzaLC “Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the newspaper that Russian forces do not strike civilian infrastructure.” Read at Meduza ↗ MixedUkrainian and European intelligence officials told the Financial Times that Russia is preparing to intensify attacks on large cities, including Kharkiv, Odesa and Lviv, to isolate them by winter; the Daily Mail also lists Kyiv. MeduzaLC “Russia is preparing to step up attacks on Ukraine’s largest cities to isolate them by winter.” Read at Meduza ↗ Daily MailR “including its capital Kyiv as well as Kharkiv, Odesa, and Lviv” Read at Daily Mail ↗ MixedUkrainian officials also say Russia plans to strike nuclear facilities to cut their power supply and pressure Kyiv to give in to Moscow's demands in early 2027, and aims to prompt a new wave of refugees to the EU, where anti-immigrant sentiment is rising. MeduzaLC “Ukrainian officials also say Russia plans to strike nuclear facilities to cut off their power supply” Read at Meduza ↗ Daily MailR “force Ukrainians fleeing the violence to seek refuge in European countries, where anti-immigrant sentiment is growing” Read at Daily Mail ↗
RightThe Daily Mail says this is reportedly a response to Ukraine's escalating strikes on Russian oil refineries, ports and warehouses, which it says have fuelled anger among Russian civilians as shortages worsen. Daily MailR “Ukraine’s escalating strikes on Russian oil refineries, ports and warehouses” Read at Daily Mail ↗ LeftZelensky said Russia has recently used jet-powered drones that are harder to shoot down; Ukraine is trying to develop specialised interceptors but faces engine shortages and a budget shortfall. He said F-16s are effective against them, but about half are often in repair in Europe. MeduzaLC “Russia has been using jet-powered drones that are harder for Ukrainian air defenses to shoot down.”“about half of the F-16s spend long periods undergoing repairs and maintenance in Europe” Read at Meduza ↗ LeftZelensky also said US and European governments lack the political will to force Putin to end the war; asked if allies were doing everything possible, he said: 'Not enough, of course, not enough.' MeduzaLC ““Not enough, of course, not enough.”” Read at Meduza ↗
RightSeparately, the Daily Mail reports Putin told the Valdai Club forum on Thursday that Russia could use 'all weapons' if directly attacked, including over Kaliningrad, following Russian embassy statements alleging a NATO blockade plan. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart denounced 'irresponsible nuclear rhetoric' and said NATO is a defensive alliance; Secretary-General Mark Rutte urged continued support for Ukraine. Daily MailR “of course, inevitably and immediately the question of [the] Russian Federation using all weapons at the disposal of our country will appear on the agenda”“'We strongly denounce the threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric,' she said in a statement.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Concise report of the Financial Times interview, centred on Zelensky's claim, with the Kremlin's denial and Ukraine's air-defence and Western-support shortfalls.
- Emphasis
- Drone and F-16 shortages, Zelensky's criticism of allies, Peskov's denial.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Putin's Valdai remarks and NATO exchange over Kaliningrad; Ukraine's refinery strikes as context.
- For example
-
“Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the newspaper that Russian forces do not strike civilian infrastructure.” — Meduza
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads with Zelensky's claim as an allegation, then widens to Russian nuclear threats over Kaliningrad and NATO's response.
- Emphasis
- Escalation with NATO, Putin's 'all weapons' warning, Ukraine's refinery strikes as motive.
- Leaves out or plays down
- The Kremlin's denial, and Zelensky's remarks on drones, F-16s and allies.
- Charged language
- “abandon the rules of war”
- For example
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“Vladimir Putin has ordered his military leaders to 'abandon the rules of war', Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed.” — Daily Mail
What every side reports
- Zelensky told the Financial Times that Putin ordered Russian commanders in September to abandon the rules of war in airstrikes.
- The claim rests on intelligence intercepted by Ukraine.
- Ukrainian and European officials say Russia plans to intensify attacks on large cities including Kharkiv, Odesa and Lviv and to strike nuclear facilities.
Where accounts differ
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Whether Russia targets civilian infrastructure
- Left
- Meduza reports Peskov's denial that Russian forces strike civilian infrastructure.
- Right
- The Daily Mail presents Zelensky's claim and the rise in attacks on hospitals and schools without carrying the Kremlin denial.
Volodymyr Zelensky person
Says intercepted intelligence shows Putin lifted air-war restrictions in September, driving more attacks on civilians, and that allies are not doing enough.
““Not enough, of course, not enough.”” — Meduza
Vladimir Putin person
Per the Daily Mail, said Russia could use all weapons if attacked directly; the Kremlin, via Peskov, denies striking civilian infrastructure.
“It's not intimidation, it's a response to an attempt to intimidate us.” — Daily Mail
“Russian forces do not strike civilian infrastructure.” — Meduza
Left1 article
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MeduzaLC ·
Neutral Straightforward summary of the FT interview including the Kremlin's denial and Ukraine's needs.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right1 article
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Alarmist Presents Zelensky's claim as an allegation and links it to wider Russia-NATO nuclear tension.
- 2 Oct 15:43 First Daily MailR Putin 'orders his military leaders to abandon the rules of war' as Ukraine sees increase in attacks on civilians
- 2 Oct 17:13 +1h 31m MeduzaLC Zelensky says Putin ordered Russia’s military chiefs to abandon rules of war in airstrikes on Ukraine
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.