Russian President Vladimir Putin has privately communicated to U.S. officials his intention to intensify military actions against Ukraine following a series of drone strikes on nearly all of Russia’s oil refineries. The warning signals a potential escalation in the nearly five-year conflict, particularly after previous Russian assaults targeting Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure.

The discussions took place amid heightened tensions after Ukraine launched coordinated drone attacks that severely damaged key components of Russia’s energy sector. According to an American official familiar with the exchanges, Putin indicated he plans to respond forcefully, suggesting a sharp increase in Russian operations against Ukrainian targets. “Putin is now going to hit [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky] hard, and he’s told us he’s going to,” the official stated. The Russian president reportedly framed the situation as a tit-for-tat confrontation, telling U.S. interlocutors, “now it’s our turn, and we’re going at them.”

The conflict, which has continued for close to five years, has seen persistent attacks on both sides’ critical infrastructure, contributing to severe humanitarian and economic hardships in Ukraine. Russian strikes have previously focused on disrupting Ukrainian electrical grids, while recent Ukrainian strikes have targeted Russia’s energy capabilities.

Separately, former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly urged Ukraine to cease its attacks on Russia’s energy facilities. His comments have sparked debate over the approach to the conflict, as Western governments generally support Ukraine’s efforts to resist Russian advances.

At present, it remains unclear how Russia will execute the planned escalations or how Kyiv and its international partners will respond. The situation underscores ongoing volatility in Eastern Europe, with the potential for increased violence and further disruption as winter approaches.