Putin calls Zelensky's alert about Russian airspace security 'terrorism'

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of inciting "state terrorism" after Zelensky warned airlines that Kyiv's drone offensive had made Russian airspace unsafe. Putin made this accusation in response to Zelensky's statements about drone attacks on targets in Russia.

More than four years after the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, both Moscow and Kyiv have intensified their attacks. At least 12 people were killed on Tuesday in Kyiv and the surrounding region during new massive Russian nighttime bombings, while air traffic at Russian airports is also frequently interrupted by Ukrainian drones.

Germany accused Russia of using an explosive drone against an airport in the country, classifying the attack as a "hybrid attack." Zelensky had warned all airlines using Russian airspace about the risks arising from the Ukrainian drone offensive.

In parallel, Putin announced during a summit with leaders from Iran and India cooperation in artificial intelligence between Russia and China, in a context where analysts point out that wars are forcing Iran and Russia, rivals of the United States, to increasingly orbit around China.