MANIPULATION: Zelenskyi calls to stop Putin, while supposedly engaging in terrorism himself

A statement by President Zelenskyi from the UN General Assembly is being circulated online, in which he claims that it is cheaper to stop Putin now than to protect every port and ship from drones later. He made this statement on the same day that Ukraine allegedly attacked “peaceful Russian ports and cities.” The post insinuates that in this way, Zelenskyi admitted to engaging in terrorism.

However, this is manipulation. Ukrainian forces strike Russia’s military-logistical facilities, which are legitimate military targets. This is not a terrorist activity.

In his speech at the UN General Assembly, Zelenskyi said these words. And during the same night of September 23–24, 2025, and throughout the day, drone strikes were indeed recorded in several Russian regions. However, they targeted legitimate military objectives.

On that day, Ukrainian naval drones attacked logistical facilities on Russia’s Black Sea coast. The operations of the “Transneft” oil-loading complex and the terminal of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium near Novorossiysk were paralyzed, and an oil-loading pier in the port of Tuapse was also hit. The governor of Russia’s Krasnodar Krai reported that two people were killed and three were injured as a result of the attack — there was damage to residential buildings.

In addition, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported hitting enemy UAV production in Valuyki in Belgorod Oblast and an oil refinery in the city of Salavat in Bashkortostan.

OSINT analysts confirm that the strikes targeted military-logistical and energy infrastructure. These include oil terminals and tanker-loading facilities that support the operations of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, supply energy resources, and enable the production of tools for further attacks on Ukraine. In particular, footage was published showing a naval drone colliding with a pier in Tuapse. There are also open-source videos of strikes on the Salavat oil refinery. This proves that Ukraine targeted facilities that fuel the war effort, not residential areas.

According to Article 52 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, objects which by their nature, location, purpose, or use make an effective contribution to military action are legitimate military targets. Article 51 of the same Protocol prohibits indiscriminate attacks and establishes the principle of proportionality: when striking, a party to an armed conflict must avoid attacks expected to cause excessive civilian casualties or damage compared to the anticipated military advantage.

Therefore, presenting Zelenskyi’s speech as a “confession of terrorism” is a distortion of context: the aggressor in this war is Russia, and Ukraine’s strikes aimed at neutralizing enemy logistics have a legal basis.

It is Russia that started this war and systematically attacks civilian objects. On the day of the speeches at the UN General Assembly, it continued to terrorize Ukraine’s frontline cities, striking the private homes of peaceful residents.