ST. PETERSBURG (dpa-AFX) – The Kremlin is using the Ukrainian drone attack on St. Petersburg before an international economic forum in the Baltic Sea metropolis to justify the continuation of the war in Ukraine. “In general, I can say that we are continuing the special military operation so that there are no such strikes,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to Russian news agencies. However, a direct retaliatory strike would be the responsibility of the Ministry of Defense, as he evaded the question of a reaction to the attacks.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered the war against Ukraine more than four years ago. Since then, the Russian military has been systematically attacking cities and towns in Ukraine, killing many civilians. Ukraine has now also resorted to massive drone attacks on Russia’s hinterland. In addition to military installations, the target is primarily oil industry objects.
In St. Petersburg, where Putin is currently launching the international economic forum SPIEF, at which he is also expecting Western entrepreneurs and business representatives, according to media reports, Ukrainian drones hit oil facilities in the port and military objects in the Kronstadt naval base./bal/DP/jha