Putin Escalates Rhetoric, Says ‘All of Ukraine is Ours’ as Russia Eyes Sumy; Zelenskyy Condemns Odesa Strike
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reignited alarm in Europe and beyond by declaring that “all of Ukraine is ours” in theory, in a sharp escalation of rhetoric signaling broader territorial ambitions. Speaking during a press event, Putin specifically referenced Sumy, a northeastern Ukrainian city near the Russian border, as being “within the scope” of Russia’s current military objectives.
The statement marks one of Putin’s hardest-line public stances in recent months, echoing his long-standing revisionist views of Ukraine’s sovereignty. “We have always believed — and still do — that Ukraine is historically and culturally part of Russia,” he said. “In theory, all of it is ours.”
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In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the remarks, stating that Russia “chooses to kill” instead of seeking peace. “These declarations only confirm what we’ve known: Russia’s goal is destruction, not dialogue,” Zelenskyy said in a national address. He urged international allies to stand firm against Moscow’s imperial designs.
Putin’s renewed aggression comes just hours after a Russian missile struck a residential building in Odesa, killing one civilian and injuring several others, according to Ukrainian emergency services. First responders worked through the night to extract survivors from the rubble. Images from the scene show extensive structural damage and debris-strewn streets.
Meanwhile, in a rare moment of relief, a group of wounded and critically ill Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) was returned home in a humanitarian exchange coordinated by international mediators. The returning soldiers were immediately transferred to military hospitals for urgent care. Ukrainian officials hailed the swap as a “small victory for humanity” amid a brutal conflict.
As tensions rise further, military analysts warn that Russia’s renewed focus on northeastern Ukraine — particularly the Sumy and Kharkiv regions — could signal a fresh offensive designed to open a new front and stretch Ukrainian defenses even thinner.
NATO leaders are expected to address the situation in their upcoming emergency session in Brussels. For Ukraine, the message from the Kremlin is chillingly clear: Moscow’s war aims are expanding, and peace remains a distant hope.
