15.11.2026 09:40
According to the Russian press, it was learned that at a secret meeting allegedly held under Putin's chairmanship, the informal ban on targeting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and senior military officials was lifted. The decision, taken after Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil facilities, has increased assassination concerns, while no official statement has yet come from the Kremlin.
A development that could ignite a new escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war emerged with reports published in the Russian press. According to claims attributed to Russian media outlets such as Moskovskiy Komsomolets (MK) and Bloknot, the scope of attacks against the Ukrainian administration was discussed at a closed meeting of Russia's Security Council.
The meeting, reportedly held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was attended by security and defense officials as well as foreign policy representatives.
At the meeting, it was learned that it was decided to remove the informal restriction on not targeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior figures of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff.
ZELENSKYY AND SENIOR COMMANDERS TARGETED
According to the Russian press, security officials demanded a tougher strategy toward Ukraine's military and political leadership.
It emerged that at the meeting the view was expressed that existing defense methods are insufficient to prevent Ukraine's drone attacks on Russian territory.
Russian security officials were said to have proposed targeting those who issue the orders for these operations rather than combating the elements carrying out the attacks.
In this context, it was reported that in addition to Zelenskyy, senior commanders in the Ukrainian General Staff were also considered among the names that could be targeted.
ATTACKS ON RUSSIA'S STRATEGIC OIL PORT WERE EFFECTIVE
The background to the reports is Ukraine's attacks on Russia's strategic oil export facilities on the Baltic Sea coast.
In particular, the Ust-Luga Port in the Leningrad region near St. Petersburg became the target of attacks carried out by Ukrainian drones.
In the Russian press, it was alleged that the facility had been targeted repeatedly in the recent period and that the latest attack was the tenth operation.
Ust-Luga Port, which plays an important role in delivering Russian oil to international markets, holds a strategic position for the country's energy exports.
As the attacks continued, it was claimed that Russian security officials demanded a change in the current defense strategy.
BILLIONS OF RUBLES SPENT ON AIR DEFENSE
According to information in the Russian press, approximately 24 billion rubles were spent on air defense systems in the Leningrad region. It was stated that this amount corresponds to approximately $300 million.
However, it was stated that despite the expenditures, Ukraine's drone attacks could not be completely prevented.
It was claimed that Russian security officials argued that it is impossible to continuously protect all strategic facilities across the country's vast geography.
At the meeting, it was alleged that an assessment was made that retaliatory attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and transport routes also could not stop the Kyiv administration from targeting Russian facilities.
HYPERSONIC MISSILES AND BUNKERS ON THE AGENDA
The most striking part of the allegations was the weapons systems that could be used against Ukraine's leadership.
According to Russian sources, at the meeting the option of targeting bunkers and vehicle convoys where Ukraine's political and military leaders are located was considered.
In this context, it was claimed that granting broader operational powers to intelligence units and the air force was brought onto the agenda.
It was alleged that the use of three-ton FAB-3000 bombs and Iskander ballistic missiles was proposed in attacks on protected underground targets.
However, it was not confirmed that an official operation order was issued for the use of these weapons.
ASSASSINATION CLAIMS HAD ALSO BEEN PUT FORWARD IN THE PAST
After Russia launched its large-scale attack on Ukraine in February 2022, various claims were put forward that Zelenskyy was targeted.
Ukrainian officials stated that assassination attempts against the head of state were prevented in the early periods of the war.
In the latest reports, it was claimed that in 2023 Putin gave assurances through intermediaries that Zelenskyy would not be targeted, and that an informal restriction was applied afterward.
However, the existence of such an agreement has not been confirmed by independent sources either.
THE CLAIM THAT CAME AFTER CONTACTS WITH THE US
The timing of the meeting allegedly held at Russia's Security Council also drew attention.
According to reports in the international press, before the meeting in question, Putin held talks in Moscow with US President Donald Trump's representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The talks were held after diplomatic contacts between Russia and Ukraine conducted under US mediation.
It was reported that at the trilateral talks held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, no progress could be achieved on fundamental issues regarding ending the war, but a consensus in principle was reached on a large-scale prisoner exchange. It was also claimed that some figures on Russia's negotiating team later attended the Security Council meeting.