"Investigating the Cream Bridge Explosion Incident... Too Early to Reveal Results"
[Asia Economy Reporter Noh Kyung-jo] Russia has denied using Iranian drones in its airstrikes on Ukraine.
On the 18th (local time), according to major foreign media, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, said during a phone conference with reporters that Russia does not use Iranian drones, contrary to claims by Ukraine and the West. "The equipment we are using is Russian-made and has Russian names. You all know that, don't you?"
In Ukraine, civilian casualties continue due to Iranian drones used by Russia. The day before, in the capital Kyiv, four civilians, including a pregnant woman, were killed in a suicide drone attack launched by Russia.
In response, the White House stated, "We will hold Russia accountable for war crimes and atrocities." Ukraine and the West claim that Russia's indiscriminate airstrikes using Iranian drones constitute war crimes. However, Russia and Iran deny any arms transactions between the two countries.
When asked whether a "nuclear umbrella" applies to the occupied territories annexed in Ukraine, Peskov replied, "These regions are an inalienable part of the Russian Federation and are provided with the same level of security as the rest of Russian territory." Regarding the possibility of Russia conducting nuclear drills, he said, "There is an official channel for announcements from the Ministry of Defense."
Regarding the joint Western investigation into the leaks at the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines connecting Germany through the Baltic Sea, he criticized it as "an absurd investigation excluding Russia to hold Russia responsible." Concerning the investigation progress of the Crimean Bridge explosion incident on the 8th, he explained, "Russian intelligence agencies are investigating how the explosives were transported, but it is too early to disclose the results."
Additionally, about the enforcement of the mobilization order, he said, "The number of mobilized personnel cannot exceed 300,000 as stipulated by the presidential decree," and added, "Although the end of the mobilization order has not been decided, in regions where the plan has already been achieved, the mobilization order has been completed."
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