Russia has vowed retaliation after Ukraine launched a major drone assault on Moscow, with Vladimir Putin's forces threatening 'massive group strikes' on Kyiv. The attack, described by one resident as 'pure hell', targeted the Moscow Oil Refinery and other areas.
Ukraine's Drone Offensive
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the G7 summit, Kyiv launched hundreds of drones towards Russia. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said air defences intercepted 194 drones approaching the city, while the Russian Defence Ministry claimed more than 550 Ukrainian drones were shot down across the country.
Russia's Response
In response, Moscow vowed to continue carrying out 'massive group strikes' on Kyiv. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated: 'It is no coincidence that the President announced some time ago, after another stunt by the Kyiv terrorists, that we would now carry out massive group strikes on a regular basis. This task has been set by the supreme commander-in-chief, and our armed forces are fulfilling it and will continue to fulfil it.'
Zelensky's Justification
Mr Zelensky described the drone attacks as a 'completely justified' response to Russian strikes earlier this week. He said Russian drones had damaged the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine's holiest site. 'It is time the war ended, and Russia must take the necessary steps in diplomacy,' he added.
In a Telegram message, he warned that Ukraine would require at least 300 additional missiles and a winter fuel assistance package if the conflict continued through the winter. He also renewed his call for fast-tracked EU membership.
European Calls for Diplomacy
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker told the Financial Times that wars are ended through 'successful diplomacy'. 'For diplomacy to be successful, you need conversations, you need negotiations, and those channels need to be opened first,' he said.
Putin's Summit
Meanwhile, Putin is hosting a summit with ASEAN nations in Kazan, calling it a 'strategic partnership' that stabilizes the Asia-Pacific region. Donald Trump also called for peace, meeting Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron. The Kremlin claimed European leaders likely 'pumped' Trump with 'harmful ideas'.
