"Massive, coordinated strikes against Ukraine's military-industrial infrastructure and the facilities supporting its operations must continue," the Russian dictator said.
Putin also said Russia would expand its so-called "security zone" inside Ukraine, including in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, in response to Ukrainian strikes on cities in Russia.
The Kremlin leader claimed Russian forces had "fully liberated" the city of Kostiantynivka and Luhansk Oblast, and had made "significant advances" in Donetsk Oblast.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has repeatedly reported that Russia's senior military leadership provides Putin with inaccurate assessments of the battlefield. The think tank has also said Russian forces increasingly use "flag-raising" tactics in areas they do not control and AI-manipulated videos to falsely portray territorial gains.
Overnight on July 2, Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Ukraine, using nearly 500 drones and 74 missiles, including four Zircon hypersonic missiles, as well as dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles. Kyiv was the main target. The attack killed 30 people and injured about 100 others.