Moscow, June 5 (Reuters) – The Kremlin said Thursday that Russia will respond to recent Ukrainian attacks “when and as its military deems fit,” accusing Kyiv of “state terrorism” after drone strikes on Russian air bases and deadly explosions on rail infrastructure in the south of the country.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov's comments came after Ukraine, according to Moscow, used drones to strike Tu-95 strategic bombers at remote bases in Siberia and the Murmansk region. Kyiv is also accused of blowing up railway bridges, killing seven civilians. Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for these operations.
During his daily briefing, Peskov claimed that Vladimir Putin had described these acts as "state terrorism," directly accusing Ukrainian leaders of ordering a deliberate attack on a passenger train. No public evidence of this involvement has been provided to date.
These incidents mark an intensification of the conflict, as fighting continues on several fronts and diplomatic efforts resume with difficulty, notably through exploratory contacts organized recently in Türkiye.
Despite the belligerent rhetoric, Peskov stressed that Moscow remained in favor of continuing "operational contacts" with Kyiv, as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov mentioned on Wednesday, a point supported by Putin himself.
The Kremlin also confirmed that Vladimir Putin had spoken with Donald Trump Wednesday, but that no face-to-face meeting was planned for the time being. Such a summit, according to Peskov, would require "careful preparation." He clarified that no discussions on a possible lifting of sanctions against Russia had taken place.
These developments come amid a protracted war and heightened hostility, both military and diplomatic, as hopes for a ceasefire or political settlement remain dim in the short term.
Moscow, June 5 (Reuters) – The Kremlin said Thursday that Russia will respond to recent Ukrainian attacks “when and as its military deems fit,” accusing Kyiv of “state terrorism” after drone strikes on Russian air bases and deadly explosions on rail infrastructure in the south of the country.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov's comments came after Ukraine, according to Moscow, used drones to strike Tu-95 strategic bombers at remote bases in Siberia and the Murmansk region. Kyiv is also accused of blowing up railway bridges, killing seven civilians. Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for these operations.
During his daily briefing, Peskov claimed that Vladimir Putin had described these acts as "state terrorism," directly accusing Ukrainian leaders of ordering a deliberate attack on a passenger train. No public evidence of this involvement has been provided to date.
These incidents mark an intensification of the conflict, as fighting continues on several fronts and diplomatic efforts resume with difficulty, notably through exploratory contacts organized recently in Türkiye.
Despite the belligerent rhetoric, Peskov stressed that Moscow remained in favor of continuing "operational contacts" with Kyiv, as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov mentioned on Wednesday, a point supported by Putin himself.
The Kremlin also confirmed that Vladimir Putin had spoken with Donald Trump on Wednesday, but that no face-to-face meeting was planned at this time. Such a summit, according to Peskov, would require "careful preparation." He clarified that no discussions on a possible lifting of sanctions against Russia had taken place.
These developments come amid a protracted war and heightened hostility, both military and diplomatic, as hopes for a ceasefire or political settlement remain dim in the short term.
