Ukraine Attacks Russian Fuel Depot, Kremlin: Not Ideal For Peace Talks, Special Operations Continue

Juru bicara Kremlin Dmitry Peskov. (Wikimedia Commons/Kremlin.ru/Press Service of the President of Russia)

JAKARTA - Russia said air strikes on their oil depots by Ukraine were not ideal for peace talks that the two countries are trying to knit together.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Ukrainian military air strike on the Belgorod city fuel depot Friday did not create conditions for further peace talks between Moscow and Kiev.

"Obviously, that's not what creates the conditions for further talks," he said, when asked if the incident could be seen as an escalation of the conflict.

Peskov also pointed out, "it's not us in the presidential administration to make judgments, it's professionals and law enforcement agencies that have to do that."

Furthermore, Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia's air superiority in special military operations in Ukraine is an absolute fact.

The Kremlin press secretary was also asked to comment on Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi's statement that Russian President Vladimir Putin had told him by telephone that conditions had not been created for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

"Everything we felt was appropriate to say at the end of the conversation, we outlined in our message. Special operations continue," the spokesman stressed.

It is known that a fire broke out at the oil depot belonging to the Belgorodnefteprodukt company in the city of Belgorod, after the Ukrainian Armed Forces carried out two air strikes.

The attack resulted in no casualties, nevertheless caused a fire that scorched fuel tanks, prompting local authorities to announce the evacuation of residents living on three streets adjacent to the facility.