US says it does not support attacks on Russia after drones strike Moscow

WASHINGTON

The US is still gathering information on drone strikes that hit the Russian capital earlier Tuesday, but stressed it does not support Ukraine attacking Russian territory.

"As general matter, we do not support attacks inside of Russia," a State Department spokesperson told Anadolu. "We have been focused on providing Ukraine with the equipment and training they need to retake their own sovereign territory, and that’s exactly what we’ve done."

The spokesperson, who discussed the matter on condition of anonymity, also emphasized that Tuesday marked May's 17th round of Russian airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, "many of which have devastated civilian areas, as Russia continues its brutal attacks against the people of Ukraine."

"Russia started this unprovoked war against Ukraine. Russia could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine instead of launching brutal attacks against Ukraine’s cities and people every day," the spokesperson added.

Russia has firmly blamed Ukraine for the early morning strikes that damaged two residential buildings in Moscow but resulted in no casualties. President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv of attempting to intimidate Russian civilians, describing the attacks as "a clear sign of terrorist activity."

The Russian Defense Ministry announced Tuesday that eight Ukrainian drones took part in the attack, and claimed all of them were destroyed.

Ukraine said Monday it fended off another round of Russian shelling on its capital that included 67 air targets, including more than three dozen cruise missiles and three dozen drones.

Later in the day, another series of airstrikes was launched by Russia on Kyiv, injuring one person, according to Ukrainian officials.

The Russia-Ukraine war, now in its 15th month, has killed more than 8,900 civilians and wounded over 15,000, according to the latest UN estimates.​​​​​​​