Putin compares 'unacceptable' Gaza blockade to Nazi siege of Leningrad

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced Israel’s siege of the Gaza Strip as “unacceptable,” comparing it to the Nazi blockade of Leningrad during World War II.

Israel is now about to do something that is "comparable to the siege of Leningrad during the Great Patriotic War," Putin told journalists in Kyrgyzstan on Friday. "In my opinion, this is unacceptable." 

Putin also warned the regime against hurting civilians in Gaza, stressing that "hardly anyone will agree" with Israel's siege of Gaza due to the civilian casualties incurred in it.

"By the way, all of us hear - we will discuss this informally - we hear about preparations for a ground operation in Gaza. But you and I understand how it is, quite semi-professionally speaking, the use of heavy equipment in residential areas is a complicated matter fraught with serious consequences for all sides. It is even more difficult to carry out these operations without equipment in residential areas. But the most important thing is that civilian casualties will be absolutely unacceptable," he said. 

He also said Israel has responded to Hamas operation with "quite brutal methods."

At least 423,000 people have now been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations said.

The coastal territory remains under Israel’s complete siege with no access to electricity, water, food, and medicines.

MG