Moscow diplomat slams Israel after attack, says no sympathy for attacks in Russia
Russia’s foreign ministry spokesman criticized Israel after Iran’s massive drone and missile attack on the country on Saturday, saying Israel showed no solidarity or sympathy for Moscow when its territory was attacked by Ukraine.
Israel’s Ambassador to Russia was Simona Halperin reported the RIA Novosti news agency as he said on Sunday that Israel expected Russia to condemn Iran’s large-scale missile attack on the country this weekend.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova chided the ambassador, however, noting: “Simon, remind me when was the last time Israel condemned at least one of Kiev’s attacks on Russian territories? You can’t remember, can you? Neither can I.” I can,” he said.
Explosions are seen in the sky over the capital, following an attack by Iran on Tel Aviv, Israel on April 14, 2024.
Mostafa Alkharouf | Anadolu | Getty Images
“What I remember are routine statements by Israeli officials in support of Zelensky’s actions. The same criminal and terrorist acts committed by the thugs of the Presidential Office of Ukraine who have been killing civilians and destroying political infrastructure for years,” Zakharova said.
Russia and Israel used to enjoy warm diplomatic relations, but these have soured as Moscow has drawn closer to Israel’s arch-nemesis Iran — and as Israel has supported its Western allies’ condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — although it has not joined its partners in imposing sanctions on Russia.
— Holly Elliott
Russia expresses “extreme concern” for the Middle East, calls for restraint
Russia’s foreign ministry on Sunday expressed “extreme concern over another dangerous escalation” in the Middle East following Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel.
“We express our extreme concern about yet another dangerous escalation in the region. We have repeatedly warned that the numerous unresolved crises in the Middle East, mainly in the area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which are often fueled by irresponsible provocative actions, will exacerbate tensions,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Telegram.
“We call on all parties involved in the conflict to exercise restraint. We expect regional states to resolve existing problems through political and diplomatic means. We believe it is important for constructively-minded international actors to contribute to this effort,” it added.
An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, seen from Ashkelon, Israel on April 14, 2024.
Amir Cohen | Reuters
Israel has vowed to respond to the Iranian strike, which was carried out to avenge an alleged Israeli airstrike that killed several top Iranian commanders in Damascus earlier in April.
Russia did not condemn Iran’s attack, repeating Iran’s claim that the attack was “undertaken as part of the right to self-defense.”
An all-out war between Israel and Iran could draw Russia into its orbit, given its close relationship with Tehran. Russia has become a close ally of Iran, with the countries developing a deeper military relationship in recent years and with Russia using thousands of Iranian attack drones in Ukraine.
— Holly Elliott
The situation on the eastern front has “deteriorated significantly”, says Ukraine’s top general
Ukraine’s army chief warned on Saturday that the situation on the battlefield in the east of the country, which continues to be the focus of the fiercest fighting in Ukraine, has deteriorated sharply.
“The situation on the eastern front has deteriorated significantly in recent days,” said Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces. he said on Telegram.
“This is primarily due to the significant intensification of hostile offensive actions following the presidential election in the Russian Federation,” he added, in comments translated by NBC News.
A Ukrainian soldier drives a British FV103 Spartan armored personnel carrier on a road leading to the town of Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, on March 30, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Roman Pilipey | Afp | Getty Images
Syrskyi said the hot and dry weather facilitated attacks by Russian forces on Ukrainian positions in the Lyman and Bakhmut districts of Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, with Russian “assault groups supported by armored vehicles,” including dozens of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
“Despite significant losses, the enemy is increasing efforts by deploying new units with armored vehicles, occasionally achieving tactical success,” Syrsyki said.
Read more here: The situation on the eastern front has ‘deteriorated significantly’ in recent days, warns Ukraine’s army chief
— Holly Elliott