Russia Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, looks at President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua, right, while speaking to representatives of international news agencies as General Director of the Russian news agency TASS, Andrey Kondrashov, left, sits near on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum at the Constantine Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
As featured on
President Vladimir Putin says Russia will strengthen its air defenses to counter recent Ukrainian drone attacks, which have reached deep inside his country. Speaking in response to a question from The Associated Press during a meeting Thursday with heads of international news agencies, Putin acknowledged the damage from Ukrainian drone attacks, and vowed to bolster its air defenses in response. The media session came on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, his annual showcase for investment. Hours before the forum opened Wednesday, a Ukrainian drone attack set ablaze an oil terminal in the city and also hit a naval base just outside Putin’s hometown.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.