The Russian president on Wednesday called for a strict response to foreign intelligence services trying to destabilize Russia to help Ukraine.
“The Kiev regime, with the direct support of foreign special services, followed the path of terrorist methods, practically state terrorism,” Vladimir Putin said in a speech on the occasion of the Day of Public Security Officers.
“It is necessary to put a firm end to attempts by foreign special services to destabilize the political and social situation in Russia,” he stressed.
Russia has attributed numerous alleged acts of railway sabotage and drone attacks to Kiev authorities since Moscow launched its offensive against Ukraine in February 2022.
“These are acts of sabotage against civilian sites, transport and energy infrastructure, attacks against civilians and representatives of the authorities,” he continued.
“The security services do not have an easy task. But they have all the necessary capabilities, all the capabilities to guarantee the security of the state, society and our citizens,” the Russian president concluded.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian intelligence services claimed several drone attacks on military installations in Russia, including several airports in Moscow, the Ukrainian news agency Unian reported.
“The operation of the Ministry of Defense intelligence services against the military facilities of the attacking state is ongoing,” a source in the Ukrainian security forces told Unian.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said a drone had been shot down near the capital, in an attack that forced the temporary suspension of operations at several of the city’s airports.
Air traffic from Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsy airports was temporarily diverted to Sheremetyevo airport.
The Moscow mayor added that the incident did not cause any injuries or property damage, according to preliminary data.
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory, described by Moscow as “terrorist attacks,” have intensified in recent days and are spreading to regions not bordering Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine will produce “one million drones,” unmanned aerial vehicles, for the military by 2024.
The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory, launched on February 24 last year, plunged Europe into what is considered the worst security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).
Ukraine’s Western allies have supplied weapons to Kiev and approved successive sanctions packages against Russian interests to try to reduce Moscow’s ability to finance the war effort.
Source: DN
