In Battlefield Visit, Putin Vows to Take More of Ukraine
The Russian leader denounced Ukraine’s “imaginary achievements” on the battlefield of late, calling its leaders “play actors.” By Paul Sonn The New York Times July 3, 2026 original article contains additional links President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, under pressure from increased Ukrainian strikes at home, appeared in fatigues in a rare frontline visit to a support post late Friday, where he touted battlefield progress and threatened to take more of Ukraine outside the Donbas region. Mr. Putin’s appearance was the latest indication that he was doubling down in the face of Ukraine’s expanding barrages. It appeared designed to show the Russian public that the heightened Ukrainian strikes in recent weeks would receive a response and won’t derail the Russian leader’s battlefield aims. The visit took place two days after Mr. Putin launched one of the biggest attacks on Kyiv of the war, which left at least 30 people dead and was widely seen as a delayed response to a string of Ukrainia...