Zelensky Warns Russia Preparing New Massive Strike on Ukraine
AI Analysis
President Zelensky warns of an impending large-scale Russian strike utilizing missiles and drones, emphasizing the need for increased air defense assistance. The recent May 24th attack involved a significant number of drones and the deployment of Russia's new Oreshnik ballistic missile. Ukraine is requesting expedited deliveries of anti-ballistic systems and increased sanctions against Russia.
Key Takeaways
- Russia is reportedly preparing a new massive strike on Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones.
- The May 24th attack involved approximately 90 missiles and 600 drones targeting Kyiv and surrounding areas.
- Russia employed the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile during the May 24th attack, with potential deployment of two missiles.
- Ukraine is urgently requesting increased air defense systems, specifically anti-ballistic missiles, from allies.
- Russia claims strikes are targeting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and ‘decision-making centers’ and has issued warnings to foreign nationals.
Why It Matters
This warning highlights the continued vulnerability of Ukrainian urban centers to Russian air attacks and the critical need for bolstered air defense capabilities. The use of the Oreshnik missile demonstrates Russia’s evolving missile arsenal and potential for increased precision strikes. Delays in Western aid could have significant consequences for Ukraine’s ability to defend its population and infrastructure.
President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Friday that Russia may be preparing another large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukraine, citing fresh intelligence reports shared with allies.
Speaking after talks with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence believes Moscow is planning “a new massive strike on Ukrainian cities and communities.”
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The warning comes just days after Russia launched one of the biggest aerial assaults of the war on May 24, targeting Kyiv and surrounding areas with 90 missiles and 600 drones, according to Ukrainian officials.
“Russia continues to rely on missiles and prolonged war, not diplomacy,” Zelensky said after a separate meeting with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. He urged partners to speed up promised air defense deliveries, particularly anti-ballistic systems, and increase sanctions pressure on Moscow.
Zelensky said Ukraine’s allies must understand that delays in implementing air defense agreements could leave cities vulnerable to further attacks.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, also urged Ukrainians to closely monitor air raid alerts “in the coming days.”
The May 24 strike became one of the most destructive attacks on Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion. Ukrainian authorities said around 300 sites were damaged, including apartment buildings, shopping centers, museums, schools, and the Lukianivska metro station.
Three people were killed and around 90 injured.
Russia also used its new medium-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, during the assault. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War said Moscow may have launched two such missiles, with one possibly malfunctioning and crashing in occupied Donetsk region.
Following this attack, on May 25, Russia’s Foreign Ministry claimed that its forces were beginning “systematic” strikes on Ukraine’s military-industrial facilities in Kyiv and so-called “decision-making centres,” while urging foreign nationals and diplomatic staff to leave the capital.
In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha dismissed the warnings as “shameless blackmail,” saying such rhetoric would not intimidate Western diplomats operating in Kyiv.
EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova said that Western missions will remain in the Ukrainian capital despite Russian threats, criticizing what she called Moscow’s attempt to weaponize fear amid its ongoing war against Ukraine.
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