The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry commented on the statements of the Russian authorities about Kiev's attacks on military airfields as part of Operation Spiderweb, which Moscow calls terrorist attacks, and stated that "Russia is once again confusing cause and effect", quoted by the BBC.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the UN General Assembly, within the framework of its resolutions, recognized Russia as a state committing aggression against Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter. In this situation, international law provides for the right of self-defense in the event of an armed attack on a UN member state.
"There are no territorial restrictions on the application of this right of self-defense," the statement said. "This means that strikes on legitimate military targets in the Russian Federation are a permissible tool for defense against an aggressor, in particular, the protection of civilians from Russian missile and drone terrorism."
The ministry also noted that Kiev strikes on legitimate military targets, avoiding civilian casualties, and there can be no equality between Ukrainian and Russian actions.
"Russia is an aggressor that has carried out an illegal and unprovoked attack on our state. Ukraine is a country defending itself from aggression. "Therefore, Russian strikes are by definition acts of aggression and terror, while Ukrainian strikes are acts of self-defense," the Foreign Ministry added.
They also advised Russian President Vladimir Putin to "agree to at least a 30-day ceasefire, abandon unrealistic ultimatums, stop hiding from meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and begin good-faith negotiations to establish a just and sustainable peace."