Vladimir Putin warns Ukraine with “God be merciful” remark

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Russian naval officers that “God be merciful to the Ukrainians,” a statement made after he enumerated alleged Ukrainian “Nazi crimes” against Russia. In the same address he reiterated that the special military operation would pursue all Russian objectives, rejecting any cease‑fire proposals that Kyiv and Washington might suggest.

Former Russian security chief Dmitry Medvedev later clarified that Putin’s words signalled indifference to Ukraine’s fate, underscoring the Kremlin’s hard‑line stance and the continued use of Russian war bloggers to bolster morale.