Moscow ignited a diplomatic firestorm on Sunday after lambasting Israel’s response to Iran’s massive drone and missile attack on the country, accusing it of double standards.
Russia’s Indignation
Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, lashed out at Israel’s Ambassador to Russia, Simona Halperin, who had urged Moscow to condemn Iran’s aggression. Zakharova questioned Israel’s condemnation, asking, “When was the last time that Israel condemned at least one of Kiev’s attacks on Russian regions? … Neither can I.”
She accused Israeli officials of routinely supporting Ukraine’s “criminal and terrorist actions” against Russian civilians and infrastructure.
Diplomatic Rift Widens
Russia and Israel once enjoyed warm relations, but the war in Ukraine has strained this partnership. Moscow’s growing ties with Iran, Israel’s archenemy, have further exacerbated tensions.
Despite this, Israel has refrained from sanctioning Russia, though it has backed Western condemnation of the invasion.
Israeli Retaliation Vow
Following the Iranian attack, which Tehran claims was in response to an alleged Israeli airstrike that killed Iranian commanders in Damascus, Israel vowed retaliation. Moscow did not condemn Iran’s actions, echoing Tehran’s assertion of self-defense.
Middle East ‘Extreme Concern’
Russia also expressed “extreme concern” over the escalation in the Middle East, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve conflicts diplomatically.
Ukraine’s Eastern Woes
In a separate development, Ukraine’s top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, painted a grim picture of the battlefront in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has intensified.
Syrskyi blamed Russia’s recent offensive surge on warmer weather, allowing Russian forces to launch attacks with armored vehicles, including tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
Despite heavy losses, Syrskyi said Russian forces continued to deploy new units, occasionally achieving tactical victories.
Data sourced from: cnbc.com
