Moscow, July 14 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov labelled Ukraine's attacks on commercial vessels in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea as "pure terrorism", saying the strikes were intended to spread fear rather than achieve military objectives.

Speaking during a joint press conference with Chad's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, Lavrov alleged that Kyiv's actions were intended solely to spread fear and inflict damage.

"What the Ukrainian regime is doing goes beyond piracy. At least pirates plunder for their own gain. Here, however, it benefits no one. The sole purpose is simply to cause damage and spread fear. It's pure terrorism," Lavrov said.

He further claimed that such actions were not limited to the Se...