Kremlin calls Biden's remarks on Putin unacceptable
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. [Photo/Agencies]
Russia condemned US President Joe Biden for comparing Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Palestinian military group Hamas, saying that his remarks made during a prime-time address were "unacceptable", Russian media reported on Sunday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the remarks from the United States' leader on Thursday were "hardly suitable for responsible heads of state".
Addressing the nation from the White House's Oval Office, Biden said ensuring Israel's success in the conflict with Hamas and Ukraine's victory in its conflict with Russia "is vital for America's national security", Xinhua News Agency reported.
Peskov later responded that "such rhetoric is hardly suitable for responsible heads of state, and such rhetoric can hardly be acceptable for us; we do not accept such a tone toward the Russian Federation and toward our president", Reuters reported.
Peskov said there has been no direct contact between Putin and Biden over the Middle East.
Separately, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that the government has published a list of domestically produced cars that state officials should buy — all either Russian or Chinese brands.
On Friday, the Industry and Trade Ministry said the car list was made up of those recommended for priority use by state and municipal employees for official purposes.
Kommersant also reported the Kremlin had told officials involved in preparations for the 2024 presidential election to stop using Apple's iPhones due to concerns that the devices are vulnerable to Western intelligence agencies.
Crossings foiled
On the front line, Russia's Defense Ministry said on Sunday that its forces have foiled several attempts by Ukrainian units to cross the Dnipro River in the southern Kherson region.
It said Ukrainian "sabotage and reconnaissance" teams were stopped while trying to cross the river near the villages of Pridniprovske, Tiahynka and Krynky.
Russia also said it had destroyed Ukrainian personnel, water-crossing equipment and vehicles near Stanislav village.
The announcement came as Putin paid a visit to the headquarters of Russian forces in Rostov-on-Don on Thursday to hear a report on the progress of operations in Ukraine, state television reported on Friday.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said six people were killed and at least 14 injured in a Russian missile attack that hit a postal distribution center in Kharkiv.
"Russian missiles hit the Nova Poshta center — an ordinary civilian object," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram.
He posted a video showing a building with windows blown out and construction materials strewn about, and red trucks with Nova Poshta written in Ukrainian in front of it.
Russia's Defense Ministry made no mention of Avdiivka in its evening report, but reported strikes on areas outside Bakhmut. Both towns are in the eastern Donetsk region.