Sergei Lavrov threatens with “regular massive offensives” against Ukraine, following the drone attacks launched on June 18 by Kiev, including on Moscow, reports The Moscow Times. According to him, the target was set by Vladimir Putin himself.
“It’s no coincidence that the president announced some time ago, after yet another action by the terrorists from Kiev, that we will now carry out regular massive offensives against targets directly affecting the combat readiness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This task was set by the Supreme Commander, and our armed forces are fulfilling it and will continue to fulfill it,” Lavrov said.
On Thursday, nearly 1000 drones were shot down by Russian troops, according to official information announced by the Ministry of Defense in Moscow. The attack is the largest, from both sides, since the beginning of the war, according to estimates published by Meduza.
The President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, called the action a “correct response” to the Russian attack on the Pechersk Lavra in Kiev, on June 15. He emphasized that Ukrainian drones “hit targets in Moscow”, despite the “three rings of air defense”. “If Putin does not want to end this war, wants to continue it, we will not stand still; we will respond. If Ukraine burns, your Moscow will burn too,” he added, asking Russia to start negotiations. “It’s time to end this war, and Russia needs to take the necessary steps in the field of diplomacy,” Zelensky wrote on his Telegram channel.