Kremlin Says Ukraine War Has Entered ‘New Paradigm’ Amid Escalating Strikes

MOSCOW: The Kremlin has claimed that the conflict in Ukraine has entered a “different paradigm”, accusing Kyiv of carrying out what it described as “inhumane acts of terror” against civilians.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the statement on Tuesday while responding to questions about recent Russian overnight strikes on Ukrainian cities, which reportedly killed at least 17 people and injured around 100 others.

Russia said its latest wave of attacks targeted military facilities in Ukraine. Moscow described the strikes as retaliation for a Ukrainian drone attack last month on a student dormitory in Russian-controlled Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, which it said killed 21 people. Ukraine, however, has denied targeting civilians at the dorm, stating that its operation was aimed at a drone command centre in the area.

Peskov said that if Ukraine is deliberately carrying out attacks against civilians and children, then the situation represents “an entirely different paradigm” in the war.

He also said Russian forces are continuing to strike military targets in Kyiv and other cities, adding that the broader peace process remains suspended. Despite the ongoing conflict, he noted that Russia remains in contact with the United States, which has been involved in diplomatic efforts to mediate an agreement between the two sides.

Reiterating Moscow’s long-standing position, Peskov said Russia remains open to peace talks, but argued that the war could end immediately if Ukraine agrees to withdraw from four regions that Russia claims to have annexed in 2022—territories Kyiv and its allies have widely rejected as illegally occupied.