A satellite image shows smoke rising from the Crimea Bridge amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Tuesday. REUTERS
MOSCOW/KYIV — The Russian government and the defense ministry must roll out measures to mitigate the fallout from Ukrainian strikes against Russia's civilian infrastructure, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
During a video conference with members of the government, Putin noted that the frontline situation for Ukraine has deteriorated rapidly. Kyiv has adopted a tactic of launching attacks on Russian civilian facilities and civilian infrastructure in an attempt to create threats against Russia, disrupt energy supplies and affect the tourist season, he said.
"The primary responsibility for mitigating these threats lies with the Ministry of Defense and other security agencies. At the same time, the Government of the Russian Federation must also take additional measures to minimize and reduce to zero the consequences of such actions," Putin said, adding that Ukraine's attacks are designed to secure favorable bargaining leverage for itself in peace talks.
"Targeting civilian infrastructure ... cannot alter or sway developments on the front lines," he added.
