Ukrainian attacks 'will not go unanswered': Russia

MOSCOW, July 4: Moscow on Saturday vowed to respond to Ukraine's attacks, saying it had downed more than 500 air targets, mostly drones but also 10 of Kyiv's Flamingo missiles.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr "Zelensky's attempt to cause damage to civilian targets in the Russian Federation will not go unanswered by the armed forces of Russia," Moscow's defence ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's army on Saturday dismissed Russian claims to have seized the eastern stronghold of Kostyantynivka, saying the situation was "difficult" but that troops were defending the town.

President Volodymyr Zelensky called the Russian claim a "lie", a day after Russia's President Vladimir Putin appeared in military uniform on television thanking his forces for seizing the town.

"Ukrainian defenders continue to hold their positions along the designated defensive lines. The situation remains difficult but is under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces," army spokesman AndriyKovalyov said.

"There have been instances of small infantry groups infiltrating deep into the battle formations of Ukrainian forces. Counter-sabotage operations by the Defense Forces are ongoing in the town. Occupying forces are being detected and eliminated," Kovalyov said.�" AFP