The Kremlin said it would be stepping up airstrikes against the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, after announcing a long-range missile strike by ships in the Black Sea against a Ukrainian factory on the capital’s outskirts.
“The number and scale of missile strikes against targets in Kyiv will increase in response to the Kiev nationalist regime committing any terrorist attacks or sabotage on Russian territory,” Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told state-run news agency TASS.
Konashenkov said the aggression was in retaliation for alleged cross-border strikes by Ukrainian helicopters and artillery, one of which Russia says hit civilians in the village of Klimovo.
The announcement was made as Russia reels from the loss of its Black Sea flagship, the Moskva, a guided-missile cruiser that sank Thursday after suffering a massive explosion.
Ukrainian forces claimed the kill, saying they struck the warship with an anti-ship missile. The Russian ministry of defense has denied the claim, saying the damage was caused by a fire onboard the vessel
Russia threatened to increase airstrikes on targets in Kyiv. AP
Russia announced an attack on a Ukrainian factory near Kyiv from ships in the Black Sea. via REUTERS
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov says the airstrikes would be in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes inside Russia. Russian Defence Ministry/AFP viaMoscow’s threat of further bombardment comes as Kyiv displays new signs of life after seven weeks of fighting.
Since the retreat last month of Russian forces that nearly encircled the capital, the city has played host to a bevy of Western leaders showcasing their support for the embattled nation.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Kyiv last weekend, touring the streets alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby says that Russia still has the capacity to attack Kyiv. ZUMAPRESS.com
Ukraine has taken credit for sinking the Russian Black Sea flagship the Moskva, but Russia denies this. APFour more NATO nations followed suit days later, with the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia traveling to Kyiv by train.
France announced plans Thursday to move its embassy back to the Ukrainian capital, the same day the White House said it was considering sending an emissary to the war-torn city.
It is unlikely those would continue amid renewed Russian shelling.
Russia stepping up attacks in Ukraine will forestall the city’s attempt to rebuild following the Russian ground forces’ withdrawal. EPA“Of course, Russia still has the capability to strike Kyiv,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Thursday. “The Russians still have long-range airstrike capabilities available to them, whether it’s from ballistic missiles or from air-launched cruise missiles.”
“We never, for a moment, even as the Russians began to reposition, felt that Kyiv wasn’t potentially still under threat,” he added.
As the Kremlin continues its air assaults on Kyiv in central Ukraine, Russian ground forces continue to group for an expected offensive in the Donbas region to the east.
