Russia has escalated its long-range strikes on Ukraine's military-industrial and logistical infrastructure, stating the campaign is a response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian and energy facilities.
Moscow claims the strikes target only military sites and infrastructure supporting Ukraine's armed forces.
In its justification for the strikes, Russia argues that the Ukraine conflict is a NATO-backed proxy war against Moscow.
Russia points to the significant amount of Western military and financial aid to Kiev, as well as the severe sanctions imposed on Russia over its military operation.
A top Russian diplomat reiterated that countries supporting Kiev have become "sponsors of terrorism," saying they have abandoned their principles of zero tolerance for terrorism.
The diplomat described the Kiev leadership as a "terrorist gang" and accused NATO countries of participating in international terrorist activity.
