Russia

"If the Kyiv regime is consciously committing such inhumane... acts of terror against civilians, against children, then this is an entirely different paradigm," the Kremlin spokesman said.

The tanker, which had sailed from Russia's Arctic port of Murmansk, was suspected of flying under a false flag and was intercepted with support from Britain, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

"This operation took place in the Atlantic Ocean, on the high seas, with the support of several partners, including the United Kingdom, in strict compliance with the law of the sea," said PM Macron.

Some European intelligence officials suggest that the aggressive measures Russia is taking to procure Western technology and defense secrets may be due to the state of its economy.

Authorities evacuated dozens after a drone hit a 10-story apartment block near the Ukrainian border, intensifying concerns over regional security.

Zakharova also said that the number of drone attacks on Russian territory from the direction of Europe and Northern European states was increasing.

Moscow and Kyiv have frequently attacked each other's ports and tankers since the start of the war. Neither country immediately claimed responsibility for the newly reported attack.

Director of Russia’s Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov said the group’s “Khorasan Branch” had stepped up efforts to recruit members from other extremist groups.

In a separate report by the AFP in Arab News, it was reported on Wednesday that “dozens of undeclared chemical weapons have been found in Syria."

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the “systematic and sustained strikes” will additionally target “enterprises of the Ukrainian defense industry,” including drone development facilities.