He assumes and threatens. Vladimir Putin confirmed on Monday that Russia had launched a “massive” bombing campaign of Ukraine in response to the Ukrainian “terrorist” attack that destroyed part of the Crimean Bridge.
“On the proposal of the Ministry of Defense and in accordance with the plan of the General Staff, massive strikes with long-range high-precision weapons were carried out against the energy, military and communication infrastructure of Ukraine. “, said the Russian president during a meeting of his Security Council broadcast on television.
VIDEO. Ukraine: “dead and injured” in a wave of bombardments on major cities
“Russia’s responses will be harsh”
Vladimir Putin has also promised “severe” replies in the event of new Ukrainian attacks against Russia, two days after the partial destruction of the Crimean bridge, strategic infrastructure and symbol of the annexation of the eponymous Ukrainian peninsula.
“If attempts at terrorist attacks on our territory continue, Russia’s responses will be severe and their scale will correspond to the level of the threats posed,” the Russian head of state said. “No one should have any doubts,” he warned.
Deadly Russian shelling on a scale not seen in months hit Ukraine on Monday morning and Belarus announced the deployment of Russian-Belarusian troops, two days after the Crimean bridge was partially destroyed. “They are trying to destroy us all, to erase us from the face of the earth,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted on social networks, calling on the population to stay in shelters and demanding a response from France and Germany. tough” on Russia and an emergency meeting of the G7.
France will increase its aid to Ukraine
Emmanuel Macron told him of his “extreme concern” and promised to increase military aid from France to Ukraine, during an emergency telephone interview with his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. On Friday, France confirmed that it was considering sending six additional Caesar guns to Ukraine, in addition to the 18 already delivered.
In addition to the 18 Caesars, France has so far provided anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, advanced armored vehicles (VAB), fuel, individual equipment and around fifteen 155 mm TRF1 towed guns to Ukraine. . It is also studying the possibility of delivering 20 Bastion armored vehicles to kyiv.