Kremlin dismisses Ukraine's strikes on Russian retailer as frontline 'irrelevant'

The Kremlin on Monday played down Ukraine's recent drone strikes on a warehouse belonging to Russian online retailer Ozon in the Samara region, insisting the attacks would have no bearing on the course of the war.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the strikes would not allow Kyiv to "influence the dynamic" on the front lines "in any way." He added that Moscow's retaliatory actions are being felt in the Ukrainian capital, asserting that "responses are felt in Kyiv every day, every night, and they will continue to feel them."

Peskov also used the opportunity to reiterate the Kremlin's hardline stance, referencing President Vladimir Putin's earlier warning that Ukraine had "opened Pandora's box" and must now "face the consequences."

In a separate exchange, Peskov was asked about UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's visit to Kyiv and reports that London is considering allowing defence firm MBDA to release classified information about British components used in SCALP long-range missiles. The spokesman responded "extremely negatively," accusing Britain of actively participating in the conflict on Ukraine's side.

"Britain methodically and regularly fans the flame and plots in order to not let the peace process go ahead in any way," Peskov said.

The comments came as European leaders gathered in Kyiv on Monday to mark Ukraine's Independence Day, with the country now in the fourth year of Russia's full-scale invasion. The occasion underscored the stark contrast between Ukraine's 1991 vote for independence and Moscow's ongoing efforts to bring the country back into its orbit.

With the front line largely static for months and no breakthrough in U.S.-led peace efforts, both sides remain locked in a cycle of escalating aerial strikes that continue to claim civilian lives and damage critical infrastructure.