Putin said he won't attack Ukraine's energy sector, but that was before Ukraine's Kursk offensive – Russian Security Council Secretary

Russia may launch strikes on Ukraine's energy sector to retaliate for Kursk offensive, Security Council Secretary warns

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said Tuesday that Russia may launch strikes on Ukraine's energy sector in retaliation for a Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region.

Patrushev's comments came one day after Ukrainian forces launched an offensive in the Kursk region, which is located in western Russia.

The offensive is the first major Ukrainian military operation since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and began supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces have made significant gains in the offensive, capturing several towns and villages.

The offensive has also raised concerns about a wider conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

In an interview with the Russian news agency Interfax, Patrushev said that Russia "will not tolerate" the Ukrainian offensive and that it will take "all necessary measures" to protect its interests.

Patrushev did not specify what measures Russia might take, but he said that they could include strikes on Ukraine's energy sector.

Russia has previously threatened to launch strikes on Ukraine's energy sector, but it has not yet done so.

Experts say that Russia is unlikely to launch strikes on Ukraine's energy sector because it would likely lead to a wider conflict with Ukraine and its Western allies.

The United States and the European Union have both warned Russia against attacking Ukraine's energy sector.

The United States has also threatened to impose additional sanctions on Russia if it attacks Ukraine's energy sector.

Conclusion

The situation in Ukraine remains fluid, and it is unclear what Russia will do in response to the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region.

However, Patrushev's comments suggest that Russia is considering launching strikes on Ukraine's energy sector.

Such strikes would likely lead to a wider conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and they could also have a negative impact on the global energy market.