Kremlin Claims Ukraine Is 'Paying the Price' for Strikes Inside Russia
Moscow frames its recent military actions as direct retaliation for Ukrainian operations across the border.
By Jonas Lindqvist · Filed Monday, 28 September 2026 · Last updated 19:01 CET
What happened
The Kremlin has declared that Ukraine is "paying the price" for its attacks against Russian territory. According to official statements from Moscow, recent military pressure on Ukraine is directly linked to operations conducted by Ukrainian forces across the border.
Why it matters
Declarations from Moscow asserting justification for retaliatory action are closely tracked across European capitals. For citizens in EU countries, escalations in the war carry ongoing consequences for regional security, energy stability, and the economic resources allocated to supporting Ukraine.
The Brussels angle
Inside the Brussels EU bubble, rhetoric from the Kremlin is analyzed by diplomatic services and council working groups assessing the stability of Europe's eastern neighborhood. Official statements from Moscow inform ongoing discussions among member states regarding the calibration of European defense support and sanctions policy.
What happens next
EU foreign policy officials and member state representatives will monitor whether Moscow's statements precede changes in military strategy on the ground. Discussions on European security posture and continued support for Kyiv remain active across institutional agendas in Brussels.
Written from these sources
Facts are extracted from primary institutional material and written independently by The Gazette desk.
Institutions Correspondent · Council and member states
Jonas LindqvistJonas Lindqvist follows the Council, Coreper and the member-state bargaining that runs late into the night. He specialises in reading the differences between the conclusions and the press conference.
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