Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that attacks targeting military and military-industrial facilities and associated infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine would be intensified following Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statement that attacks on Russian oil refineries would increase.
Moscow’s accusations
The ministry said Zelenskyy had stated that oil refineries would be targeted in response to Russia’s attacks on drone and missile production facilities in Ukraine, as well as infrastructure used in support of the Ukrainian army.
Russia’s Defense Ministry argued that the attacks on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine were in response to Ukrainian actions. It also claimed that Kyiv was attempting to disrupt Russia’s State Duma elections through attacks.
Ministry statement on civilian casualties
The ministry said six civilians had been killed in attacks it said were carried out with missiles and drones against election commissions. It also claimed that more than 1,600 drones had been used in an attempted attack on civilian facilities in Moscow on September 19-20.
The statement also claimed that an attempt had been made in June to disrupt the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum with drone attacks. Russia’s Defense Ministry said Ukraine had attacked residential areas in Belgorod the previous night, killing and injuring civilians and damaging apartment buildings, detached houses and vehicles.
Russia announces military response
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that, following Zelenskyy’s statement, the Russian Armed Forces would intensify attacks on military and military-industrial facilities and associated infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine.
The ministry also argued that the Ukrainian people should hold the person leading the Kyiv administration responsible for what would happen. The statement further claimed that Zelenskyy bore full personal and political responsibility.
