Vladivostok: Russia said Tuesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement about carrying out up to 1,000 drone strikes a day showed Kyiv's unwillingness to end the war. Speaking at a press briefing in the Russian Far East city of Vladivostok, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the statement showed that Ukraine's calls for a ceasefire were not intended to end the conflict.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zakharova remarked, "They perfectly understand that these statements are proof of the falseness of their previous statements about their alleged desire for peace." She further commented on the withdrawal of Russia's ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, noting it as a routine matter following the completion of his tenure in London. Zakharova assured that Kelin's successor will be announced "in due course."

The announcement coincided with a report in The Times citing Ukrainian army sources that drones made by two British companies were used over the past six months to target Russian oil refineries and logistics hubs.

In addition, Zakharova addressed claims by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez regarding Russia's alleged involvement in Spain's migration crisis. She dismissed these claims, stating that without evidence backed by facts, there is no basis for discussion. She criticized the Spanish authorities for not using existing communication channels with Moscow and for opting to "run to the microphone."

Zakharova also commented on the issue of Russian financial assets frozen in Europe, asserting that their use constitutes "a crime" and warned that it "will be punished." She criticized the sanctions imposed on Russia, arguing that they ultimately harm Western citizens and businesses.

The spokeswoman reiterated Russia's sovereignty over the disputed Kuril Islands, citing post-World War II agreements and the UN Charter as the basis for Russia's jurisdiction over the territory. She highlighted Russia's complaint to the Japanese Embassy regarding Japan's deployment of US Typhoon missile systems near Russian borders during trilateral exercises with the US and Australia, warning of "decisive and devastating" responses to further escalations in the Baltic Sea.

Turning to the floods and landslides in Nepal, Zakharova stated that Russia is "closely monitoring" the search-and-rescue operations. She reported that 10 Russian citizens had been successfully evacuated, while the Russian Embassy in Nepal is working to locate 12 Russian citizens. The death toll from the natural disaster has risen to over 1,019 a week after it struck the border region between Nepal and China, according to official data.