Russia claims US-ordered attack on Kremlin targeting Vladimir Putin

Russia’s foreign ministry said it “must not go unanswered” about the alleged drone attack, indicating that Kiev does not want the 15-month-old war to end at the negotiating table.

Russia has increasingly accused the United States of direct participation in the war and intent on inflicting a “strategic defeat” on Moscow. Washington denied this, saying it was arming Kiev to defend itself and retake illegally seized land.

Kiev targeted

Earlier on Thursday, Russia launched two dozen combat drones over Ukraine, striking Kiev for the third time in four days and attacking a university campus in the Black Sea city of Odessa.

There were no reports of casualties.

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Kiev city officials said Russia probably launched ballistic missiles and drones, but they were all shot down. Given the difficulty of shooting down ballistic missiles, this could indicate that Ukraine was using sophisticated air defense systems provided by the West.

In total, the air defenses shot down 18 of the 24 “kamikaze” drones in the predawn attack, officials said. Of his 15 drones launched in Odessa, 12 were shot down, but three hit the university campus, according to the Southern Command.

Shelling in the Donetsk region damaged a power plant owned by power company DTEK Energo, but no casualties were reported, DTEK and the Ministry of Energy said.

The death toll from Russian shelling in and around Kherson in southern Ukraine on Wednesday rose to 23, said regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

Russia denies targeting Ukrainian civilians.

“All Might of Justice”

In a speech at The Hague, Zelensky said: This is our historical responsibility. ”

In March, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin on suspicion of deporting children from Ukraine.

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Russia, which is not a member of the ICC and denies its jurisdiction, denies committing atrocities during a “special military operation” in Ukraine, and denies it necessary to defend its security against hostile Western powers. claims to be.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is Zelensky’s host, saying Russia must be held accountable for any war crimes, saying there is “no taboo” when it comes to military aid, and Dutch “unshakeable” against Kiev promised support.

Zelensky vowed to drive back all Russian troops invading the borders set in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He said he would succeed against a “discouraged” Russia.

There are currently no peace talks to end the war that ravaged Ukrainian towns and cities, killed thousands and displaced millions from their homes.

Reuters

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