Russia's Lavrov Says Kremlin Drone Incident Was 'Hostile Act'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov holds a news conference at United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, US April 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov holds a news conference at United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, US April 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar
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Russia's Lavrov Says Kremlin Drone Incident Was 'Hostile Act'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov holds a news conference at United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, US April 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov holds a news conference at United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, US April 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that Wednesday's drone incident at the Kremlin was a "hostile act" and Russia would respond with "concrete actions".

Russia has accused Ukraine of firing drones at the Kremlin in an attempt to kill President Vladimir Putin, and said the United States was behind the purported attack, Reuters reported.

Ukraine has denied that, and the White House has dismissed Russian "lies".

"It was clearly a hostile act, it is clear that the Kyiv terrorists could not have committed it without the knowledge of their masters," Lavrov told a press conference in India.

"We will not respond by talking about 'casus belli' or not, we will respond with concrete actions," he said.

"Casus belli" is a Latin term for an action that provides justification for war. Russia's war in Ukraine is now in its 15th month, though Moscow continues to describe it as a "special military operation".



Tens of Thousands Protest in The Hague Against Gaza War

Thousands of people, some waving the Palestinian flag, gather against the Dutch government's Israel policy, as they protest on Malieveld, in The Hague on May 18, 2025. (AFP)
Thousands of people, some waving the Palestinian flag, gather against the Dutch government's Israel policy, as they protest on Malieveld, in The Hague on May 18, 2025. (AFP)
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Tens of Thousands Protest in The Hague Against Gaza War

Thousands of people, some waving the Palestinian flag, gather against the Dutch government's Israel policy, as they protest on Malieveld, in The Hague on May 18, 2025. (AFP)
Thousands of people, some waving the Palestinian flag, gather against the Dutch government's Israel policy, as they protest on Malieveld, in The Hague on May 18, 2025. (AFP)

Tens of thousands of protesters marched through The Hague on Sunday demanding a tougher stance from the Dutch government against Israel's war in Gaza.

Organizer Oxfam Novib said around 100,000 protesters had joined the march, most dressed in red expressing their desire for a "red line" against Israel's siege on Gaza, where it has cut off medical, food and fuel supplies.

The march also passed the seat of the International Court of Justice, which is hearing a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide and last year ordered Israel to halt a military assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Israel dismisses accusations of genocide as baseless and has argued in court that its operations in Gaza are self defense and targeted at Hamas fighters who attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

Oxfam Novib said the Dutch government had ignored what it said were war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza, and urged protesters to demand a tougher line.

Dutch Foreign Affairs minister Caspar Veldkamp earlier this month said he wanted the EU to reconsider cooperation agreements it has with Israel.

But the Dutch government has so far refrained from harsher criticism, and the leader of the largest party in the government coalition, anti-Muslim populist Geert Wilders, has repeatedly voiced unwavering support for Israel.

Wilders called Sunday's protesters "confused" and accused them in a post on X of supporting Hamas.