Video: Diplomatic statements insufficient, Defence Ministry will act, Putin reacts following strike on Luhansk school
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said diplomatic statements are insufficient following a Ukrainian strike on a trade school in the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic and announced that the Ministry of Defence will deliver a response.
Speaking from a ceremonial hall lined with Russian flags, Putin read prepared remarks and led officials and military personnel in a formal moment of silence for the victims of the attack.
The clip of the address showed him emphasising that the incident represented an escalation that could not be met by rhetoric alone.
“It wants to also provoke a reaction from Russia and then blame everything on Russia, blame all the consequences of their actions on Russia as well. We’ve seen that before many times,” Putin said, accusing Kyiv of seeking to manufacture a pretext for blaming Moscow.
“In the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is now ordered to inform international information agencies about what’s happening. But of course we understand that just making statements is not enough here,” he added.
“That’s why the Ministry of Defence will also be making its response.”
He closed the remarks by asking those present to observe silence.
“Now I would like all of us to stand and remember those who perished in a moment,” Putin said, before the assembled officials and military figures fell silent.
The address comes amid heightened tensions along the front lines and follows reports of civilian casualties in the Luhansk area.
Moscow’s pledge of a Defence Ministry response raises the prospect of further escalation in the conflict, with international monitors and governments likely to watch for how Russia interprets and responds to the strike.
