Zelensky claims Putin orders commanders to disregard international war law
President Zelensky says Vladimir Putin has instructed Russian military leaders to ignore the rules of armed conflict.
In an interview conducted from a school shelter hit by a Russian drone, Zelensky asserted that intelligence, including intercepted Kremlin communications, shows Putin directing his commanders to abandon established humanitarian constraints. He warned that Russia is no longer observing the limits that previously guided its air strikes. The president linked this shift to an escalation in attacks on Ukrainian territory.
Why it matters
If true, the alleged order could increase civilian casualties and undermine international humanitarian norms.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report Zelensky’s claim that Putin has removed constraints on Russian air strikes, but left-leaning coverage stresses the civilian targets and Kremlin denial, while right-leaning coverage stresses the violation of international law and the intelligence basis.
LEFT
Zelensky says Putin lifted limits on Russian air raids, enabling strikes on schools and hospitals, with emphasis on documented civilian attacks and Kremlin denial.
RIGHT
Zelensky claims Putin ordered commanders to disregard international war law, highlighting intercepted communications as evidence.
The left emphasises
- Putin lifted limits on Russian air strikes, permitting attacks on any target, including schools and hospitals.
- Ukrainian authorities and WHO have documented assaults on educational and health facilities.
- Kremlin spokesman says Russian forces do not target schools or medical facilities.
The right emphasises
- Putin is directing commanders to abandon established humanitarian constraints.
- Intelligence, including intercepted Kremlin communications, backs the claim.
- Russia is no longer observing limits that previously guided its air strikes.
How this story developed
- Sep 10 Ukrainian forces begin new offensive in northern Donetsk, commander says
- Sep 11 Ukraine’s Third Army Corps is fielding experimental four-wheeled robots called “Hyenas” to deliver explosives, resupply troops and retrieve the wounded along the 1,200 km front.
- Sep 15 Ukrainian troops repelled a Russian assault on Lyman.
- Sep 20 The robots have been observed along the entire 1,200‑kilometre front.
- Sep 25 Ukrainian commanders announced further territorial gains around Lyman since the initial report.
- Sep 26 Russian attacks killed four civilians in Ukraine, while a Ukrainian drone strike in Russia's Krasnodar region killed three people.
- Sep 27 Operators now use Discord to coordinate the robots with drones.
- Sep 27 German de‑escalation pleas were rejected and talks have stalled.
- Sep 28 Ukrainian forces announced the latest village recaptures as part of Operation Vivaldi’s third phase.
- Sep 28 Russian strikes this week damaged Kyiv data centres and set fire to the National Academy of Sciences.
- Sep 29 The latest 24‑hour wave of Russian attacks resulted in one death and 56 injuries nationwide.
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