President Vladimir Putin has labeled Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s recent threats to close Russian airspace with drone strikes as a “declaration of state terrorism.”
In a Telegram video address, Zelensky warned that airlines using Russian airspace would face imminent threats from Ukrainian drones. He stated the skies over Moscow and other major cities are now “completely unsafe,” targeting air traffic to key destinations including St. Petersburg.
Putin described these actions as rendering Kyiv’s claims of seeking peace talks with Moscow null and void, asserting: “One does not hold negotiations with terrorists.” The Russian president made the remarks at a press conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Zelensky and the “Kiev regime” are aware their statements contradict earlier claims about seeking peace.
Ukrainian forces have escalated long-range drone and missile attacks against civilian infrastructure deep within Russia, repeatedly disrupting airports near Moscow. Russian authorities reported intercepting 822 Ukrainian drones in mid-August followed by 791 fixed-wing UAVs over two days.
Russia has responded with strikes on military targets in Ukraine, claiming Kyiv’s tactics aim to divert attention from battlefield setbacks.
