Putin vows to strengthen Russia's air defenses

Vladimir Putin>>> announced that Russia>>> will strengthen its air defenses in response to recent Ukrainian drone attacks that have reached deep inside Russia>>>, including an oil terminal and a naval base in St. Petersburg. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Vladimir Putin>>> acknowledged the damage and vowed improvements. He also dismissed the European Union>>> as a mediator in peace talks with Ukraine>>> due to perceived bias and reiterated Russia>>>'s goal of controlling the entire Ukraine — Donetsk Oblast>>>. The drone attacks have highlighted the vulnerability of Russian cities and overshadowed the economic forum, which Russia>>> uses to attract foreign investment, particularly from non-Western countries like Saudi Arabia>>>, Uzbekistan>>>, Tanzania>>>, and China>>>. Vladimir Putin>>> also addressed Russia>>>'s economic challenges, including inflation, and defended the Russia — Central Bank of Russia>>>'s decision to raise interest rates.