Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has vowed inevitable retaliation following Ukrainian drone attacks and a bridge collapse in the Bryansk region. He emphasized that the Russian army’s offensive operations will persist until their objectives are achieved, stating that “Everything that should explode will certainly be blown up, and those who should be destroyed will disappear.”

Medvedev addressed the recent surge in tensions, specifically referencing the Ukrainian drone attacks on airfields in multiple Russian regions, including Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that aviation equipment caught fire in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions as a result of these attacks, which were described as the most extensive in recent months.

Furthermore, Medvedev commented on the collapse of a road bridge in the Bryansk region on May 31, when a passenger train was passing underneath. The incident led to the derailment of the locomotive and several wagons, and it was later reported that the number of casualties exceeded one hundred, with seven fatalities.

Regarding potential negotiations with Ukraine, Medvedev clarified that Russia’s goal is not to reach a compromise on unrealistic terms but to secure a swift victory. He stated that this objective is reflected in the recently published Russian memorandum on Ukrainian settlement, which outlines the parameters for a final settlement, conditions for a ceasefire, and the sequence of steps and their implementation timeline. The second round of negotiations in Istanbul on June 2 was brief, lasting only an hour, and followed the publication of the draft Russian memorandum.