Russia has accused Kyiv of using civilians as shields and denied drone incursions into Estonia and Poland, while the US and NATO condemned repeated Russian violations of allied airspace.
Amid criticisms over the attacks on Ukraine and incursions into NATO territory, Russia stated on Tuesday that Ukrainians are “lining up to die for the advancement of Western geopolitical interests.” CNN quoted Russia’s deputy ambassador to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, at the United Nations Security Council meeting. Polyanskiy claimed that Kyiv is “using civilians as human shields and placing air defense systems in direct proximity to residential areas,” which he said leads to tragedies linked to wreckage falling on homes from errant air defense missiles.
He also condemned what he called “unsubstantiated allegations” about the incursion of Russian drones and jets into Estonia and Poland.
Earlier this month, NATO fighter jets shot down Russian drones that illegally entered Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine. Days later, NATO intercepted three Russian jets that violated Estonian airspace. Romania has also reported that a Russian drone violated its airspace amid ongoing attacks on Ukraine.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump weighed in, saying he believes NATO members should shoot down Russian aircraft if they violate allied airspace.
On Monday, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz condemned Russia’s repeated incursions into NATO territory and emphasized that the United States and its allies “will defend every inch of NATO territory.”
Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after Russian jets entered Estonian airspace, Waltz stated: “This event, following on the heels of the Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace, creates the impression that Russia either wants to escalate and pull more countries into this conflict with Ukraine, or doesn’t have full control of those who operate its fighter planes and drones. Either scenario is very disconcerting, given that Russia is obviously a nuclear power with global reach.”
https://www.news18.com/world/ukrainians-lining-up-for-wests-geopolitical-interests-russia-to-un-security-council-ws-l-9592570.html
