Lavrov: Zelensky openly counting on “uprising” in Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky openly declares his expectation of destabilizing Russian society and an “uprising” in the country.

The minister made the statement while speaking at a lecture series hosted by the Znanie society at the Eastern Economic Forum, with his words cited by RIA Novosti.

According to Lavrov, Zelensky’s threats against Russia’s civil aviation are aimed precisely at this goal.

“Now Zelensky has said, let civil aviation in Russia stop flying, because there is no place for civil aviation where Ukrainian combat drones are flying. But the expectation that society will be destabilized and will rise up — that is being declared openly,” the minister noted.

Lavrov also said that “the atrocities of the Kyiv regime, strikes on marketplaces, oil refineries, and other infrastructure facilities — facilities that make life comfortable for society and the population” are all aimed at undermining Russia.

On September 1, Zelensky stated that the presence of Ukrainian drones over Russian territory should be taken into account by airlines and insurers when assessing flight safety. He added that Ukraine does not intend to attack civil aviation, but that the number of Ukrainian drones in Russian airspace will increase.

Russia’s Ministry of Transport had also previously responded to Zelensky’s threats against the country’s civil aviation.