Brussels, Belgium – Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russian territory are causing “panic” for the Kremlin, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. In an interview with AFP on Wednesday, Kallas stated that Moscow is responding with increased attacks on Ukraine.
Drone Strikes Target Russian Energy and Military Sites
On Wednesday, Ukrainian drones struck energy and military facilities in Saint Petersburg, coinciding with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s flagship economic conference in the city. The strikes mark an escalation in Ukraine’s ability to hit deep within Russian borders.
Kallas: Russia Losing Money, Men, and Momentum
“It clearly shows also panic on the Russian side – why they are increasing the terrorist attacks that they’re doing in Ukraine is because they don’t know what to do with these things,” Kallas said. She emphasized that Russia is “losing money, men, and momentum,” which is driving its intensified attacks on civilians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the strikes as “fair” retaliation for Russia’s bombardment of Ukraine and threatened to launch more.
EU Prepares New Sanctions Against Moscow
The European Union is readying a new round of sanctions aimed at curbing Russia’s oil revenues and targeting its military industry and financial institutions. “We have a very clear goal in mind targeting the military industry, targeting the financial institutions, so that they can’t raise capital to finance this war,” Kallas said. She added that the EU must also increase support for Ukraine to defend itself against what she called “atrocious” attacks.
Calls for EU to Play Greater Role in Peace Talks
As US-brokered talks to end the war have stalled, there are growing calls for the EU to take a more active role. However, Kallas reiterated that the EU cannot act as a neutral mediator given its strong backing for Kyiv. “Clearly the war in Iran and the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz is taking the attention of the Americans, but I think more important so far we haven’t seen the willingness from the Russian side to actually negotiate,” she said. “That’s the most important, how we can push them to talk to the Ukrainians, so that they also make concessions that make Europe secure.”
Russia has unleashed a series of ferocious drone and missile strikes against Ukraine in recent days, killing at least 23 people on Tuesday. Kallas expressed doubt that such attacks would break the resilience of Ukrainians.
