Kremlin Warns Ukraine Will 'Pay a Price' After Election Drone Strikes

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Ukraine would bear consequences for its recent drone attacks on Russia, and that Russian forces would keep striking targets they deem appropriate.

"Ukraine will have to pay a price for the actions that have taken place in recent months," Peskov told reporters. "That is happening right now. Our armed forces are continuing the special military operation, consistently striking the targets they consider appropriate."

Peskov framed the matter as a question of Russian security, saying Moscow's national interests leave no room for compromise on the issue.

"We must guarantee our security," he said. "We must ensure that no one dares to declare plans to deliver a crushing blow to Russia within 40 days, as was voiced from Kyiv, for example."

That remark appeared to refer to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's announcement during the summer of a campaign of strikes against Russia.

The comments followed a statement by President Vladimir Putin on Friday that Russia had signaled readiness to hold a new round of talks after the parliamentary elections, but would now consider whether doing so served its national interests. The shift came after Ukraine launched a large wave of drone attacks during the three-day vote.

More than 1,000 drones were fired at Russia during the balloting, including hundreds aimed at Moscow. The mayor of the Russian capital described the assault as the largest ever drone attack on the city.