Ukraine Says Putin’s Statement Is ‘Inadequate’

Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, called Vladimir Putin’s response to Kyiv’s warning about Russian airspace “completely inadequate.”

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It's quite strange to hear accusations of terrorism from the head of a terrorist organization hiding behind the name of the Russian state, regarding the announced intention to close the airspace over Russia.

“It's quite strange to hear accusations of terrorism from the head of a terrorist organization hiding behind the name of the Russian state, regarding the announced intention to close the airspace over Russia,” Kovalenko wrote on Telegram. He said that distorting reality had long been a method of Russian propaganda and politics because Russia started the war against Ukraine.

Kovalenko added that Putin’s reaction now appeared especially disproportionate in light of Russia’s own actions. “This shows that Russia is afraid of these measures. And that is good,” he said.

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This shows that Russia is afraid of these measures. And that is good.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned airlines using Russian airspace, insurers and people still using major Russian airports that the airspace was becoming completely unsafe. He said Ukrainian drones would make it entirely unsafe throughout the war.

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Today we want to warn every airline using Russian airspace, every insurer and everyone who still uses Russia's major airports: Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe.

Putin responded after a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, equating Zelenskyy’s statement with “state terrorism” and saying Moscow does not negotiate with “terrorists.” Both sides have intensified long-range attacks in recent months, while US-led diplomatic efforts have stalled more than four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion began.

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state terrorism