The Kremlin on Monday described a recent drone attack on Moscow as an "act of desperation" by Ukraine following setbacks on the battlefield.
"It is obvious that the counteroffensive is not a success," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that it was "very difficult" for Ukrainian forces on the front.
"In an act of desperation, the regime in Kyiv is turning to such terrorist attacks," Peskov said.
"All possible measures have been taken to defend civil infrastructure" against Ukrainian strikes, he added.
Russia on Sunday said it had downed Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow in an attack that damaged two office towers in a business district.
Ukraine began its long-awaited counteroffensive in June but has made modest advances in the face of stiff resistance from Russian forces on the frontline.
