Putin Vows to Strengthen Air Defenses After Drone Attacks
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that Russia will enhance its air defenses in response to recent drone strikes from Ukraine. These attacks have penetrated significantly into Russian territory, overshadowing the ongoing economic forum in St. Petersburg.
During a meeting with international news agency heads, President Putin addressed the damages sustained from the drone incidents after being questioned by a reporter from The Associated Press. He noted, “Unfortunately, some of them have broken through,” affirming the need to improve Russia’s air defense systems.
This discussion took place at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which serves as Putin’s annual platform to attract investment. Just hours before the event commenced, a Ukrainian drone attack set the city’s oil terminal ablaze and targeted a nearby naval base.
Putin also expressed Russia’s willingness to find common ground on the Ukraine issue, referencing an agreement made during the summit with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska. He asserted that Ukraine must accept such an agreement to resolve the ongoing conflict, which is now in its fifth year.
On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy proposed direct negotiations in an open letter to Putin. He pointed out that U.S. priorities are shifting and argued it would be unwise for the U.S. to remain preoccupied with the situation in Iran while delaying attention to Ukraine.
In Washington, Trump mentioned it would be “great” for Putin and Zelenskiy to meet. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that Putin hadn’t seen the letter yet but reiterated that Zelenskiy was welcome to come to Moscow for discussions. Last month, Putin suggested he wouldn’t dismiss talks in third countries, provided there was a concrete agreement to sign.
Putin brushed aside the idea that EU countries could mediate discussions between Russia and Ukraine, questioning their neutrality. He stated, “How can Russia trust people who have been harping on the need to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia for years?”
Regarding military capabilities, Putin discussed Russia’s use of medium-range ballistic missiles, stating that these were tested on selected targets to assess their accuracy before deployment near populated areas. He emphasized that Ukraine currently controls about 15% of its territory while pursuing full control of the Donetsk region.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the “patriotism and will of the Russian people” would ensure the achievement of objectives in Ukraine. He claimed, “Russian forces are advancing along the entire contact line.”
Putin reiterated that he accepted Trump’s compromise proposal from the Alaska summit and viewed it as a potential basis for a lasting agreement between Russia and Ukraine to conclude the conflict.
The Russian leadership aims for a comprehensive solution rather than a mere ceasefire. Putin stated, “There is no need for a suspension of hostilities to begin negotiations,” and mentioned that the Ukrainian side might prefer to pause the Russian advance, but he believes it’s better to agree on the Anchorage compromise.
When approached about an Associated Press investigation revealing numerous incidents across Europe allegedly tied to a coordinated Russian effort, Putin asked for concrete evidence and claimed these accusations reflect Europe’s unwillingness to engage with Russia as an equal.
On the Iran conflict, Putin mentioned that Russia’s proposal to take enriched uranium from Iran for safe storage is still open for discussion, citing past agreements as a framework for cooperation.
Responding to a question about his long-term plans, the 73-year-old leader, who has been in power for over 25 years, laughed off inquiries about future elections, saying, “I’m not even thinking about it.” He added a philosophical note: “Only God knows whether any of us will be healthy enough to survive tomorrow.”
The recent drone strikes, which impacted the Kronstadt naval base and oil terminal, raised concerns about Russia’s overall security and highlighted Ukraine’s capability to strike deep within Russian territory. This incident embarrassed Putin, who has traditionally depicted the conflict as a distant issue.
As a result, several flights were delayed or redirected at St. Petersburg’s airport, and local authorities temporarily suspended mobile internet access to mitigate further drone attacks.
Putin has also scaled back Russia’s Victory Day celebrations due to fears of additional drone strikes. Recently, a significant attack near Moscow caused casualties and demonstrated vulnerabilities within the capital.
Peskov reported that Russian forces are conducting a “coordinated” attack on Kiev, with deadly strikes occurring across Ukrainian cities.
While the St. Petersburg forum aimed to showcase Russia’s economic resilience, many Western officials and business leaders have chosen to stay away since the onset of the conflict in 2022. Conversely, Russia has been working to showcase ties with countries like Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and China.
Despite hopes for economic growth through military spending, the overall economic outlook for Russia remains uncertain, leading to increased taxes and domestic borrowing efforts to handle the budget deficit.
In response to questions about the impact of military actions on the economy, Putin quoted Mark Twain: “Rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated.” He claimed the economy is growing but acknowledged inflation concerns. Further, he asserted that the central bank’s decision to set the key interest rate at 14.5% was a necessary step to stabilize the situation, expressing determination to prevent hyperinflation. “We are fighting for the health of the entire Russian economy,” he stated.
