Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has argued that fear of punishment under Russian President Vladimir Putin helps explain why Russian soldiers continue fighting in Ukraine, even when they may be reluctant to do so. In an exclusive interview with The Sun on October 28, 2026, Zelensky said Russian military personnel and civilians understand the consequences of defying the Kremlin, including the threat of imprisonment or other forms of punishment. He described a system in which soldiers may feel compelled to follow orders because refusing to participate in the war could expose them to retaliation from their own government. Zelensky’s comments framed Russian compliance not simply as a matter of political support for the invasion, but also as a response to pressure and fear. His assessment offers a glimpse into how Ukraine’s leadership interprets the motivations and constraints facing Russian forces as the war continues.

Zelensky also argued that Ukrainians have a particular understanding of Putin’s political mentality because of their shared history with Russia, geographical proximity and experience of the conflict. He contrasted that familiarity with what he views as a less direct American understanding of the pressures operating within Russian society and its military. His remarks reflect Kyiv’s broader argument that the Kremlin relies on coercion and authoritarian control to maintain participation in the war, although the motivations of individual Russian soldiers and civilians vary and cannot be established from his comments alone. The possibility of punishment for refusing orders is an important distinction in understanding military discipline, but assessing how widely such pressure determines battlefield behavior requires additional evidence. Zelensky’s statements therefore serve both as a description of Ukraine’s interpretation of Russian society and as part of its broader effort to explain the dynamics sustaining Moscow’s war effort.