Putin says Russia will bolster its air defenses against Ukraine's long-range drone strikes

By — James Jordan, Associated Press James Jordan, Associated Press By — Harriet Morris, Associated Press Harriet Morris, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/putin-says-russia-will-bolster-its-air-defenses-against-ukraines-long-range-drone-strikes Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Putin says Russia will bolster its air defenses against Ukraine's long-range drone strikes World Jun 4, 2026 5:52 PM EDT ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia will strengthen its air defenses to counter recent Ukrainian drone attacks, which have reached deep inside his country and cast a cloud over his showcase economic forum in his hometown of St. Petersburg. WATCH: As Russia pounds Ukrainian cities, Kyiv tries to turn the tide with battlefront innovation Speaking in response to a question from The Associated Press during a meeting with heads of international news agencies, Putin acknowledged the damage from Ukrainian drone attacks. "To our regret, some of them break through," Putin said of the drone strikes. "Russia has an air defense system, we need to improve it, strengthen it, and we will do that." The wide-ranging 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 nearby naval base. Putin also said Russia is open for a compromise on Ukraine in line with understandings reached at his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, adding that Ukraine needs to accept them to make a deal to end the conflict, now in its fifth year. Zelenskyy proposes talks Also on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed face-to-face negotiations in a public letter addressed directly to Putin. Zelenskyy acknowledged shifting U.S. priorities, saying it would be wrong to wait for the U.S. to return its attention to Ukraine while it is remains heavily focused on the Iran war. READ MORE: Zelenskyy says Ukraine is using drone expertise to help 5 countries against Iran attacks In Washington, Trump said it "would be great" if Putin and Zelenskyy meet. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin hadn't seen the letter yet and repeated his statement that Zelenskyy could come to Moscow if he wants talks. Putin said last month he doesn't exclude a meeting in a third country, but only when there is a deal to sign. Putin dismissed the idea that European Union countries could mediate Russia-Ukraine peace talks because "mediation assumes neutrality. Where is the neutrality here?" Any potential third-party mediators needed to be trusted by both sides, Putin said. "How can Russia trust people who have been harping about the need to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia for years?" he said. Putin's battlefield update Commenting on Russia's use