Ukraine is preparing for a new escalation. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, warned that Russia could launch a massive strike as early as tonight. The head of state urged citizens to strictly respond to air raid sirens and seek shelter.

Threat of a Massive Attack

According to Zelenskyy, intelligence has received unpleasant data regarding the Russian side's preparation for a new large-scale operation. "Once every week or two, massive strikes, hundreds of drones, dozens of missiles of various types. Today, there is very unpleasant information about the preparation of another such massive Russian strike. There is intelligence data," the president noted.

He added that he personally, together with his team, would urgently return to Ukraine to coordinate actions under conditions of heightened threat. Zelenskyy also instructed the military, Ministry of Internal Affairs, security services, and intelligence to be on high alert.

'Putin Sees Only Aggression'

The head of state emphasized that Russia continues the war despite Kyiv's attempts to initiate negotiations. "We know that Putin has been preparing this massive strike against Ukraine for some time. The leader of Russia absolutely refuses to end the war," Zelenskyy stated.

He reported that Ukraine, through official and unofficial channels, as well as through people close to Putin, had conveyed its readiness for a meeting. However, according to the president, the Russian leader "sees only further aggression" against Ukraine and the European Union for himself.

Consequences of Today's Attacks

The threat did not remain just words. During the day, Russian forces have already launched a series of strikes against Ukrainian cities:

  • In the Odesa region, a ballistic missile hit a populated area. Two people were killed, and 15 were injured. 11 victims were hospitalized and are under medical supervision.
  • In Kharkiv, a series of strikes with guided aerial bombs resulted in the deaths of two people, including a 15-year-old teenager. A total of 26 people were injured.
  • In Kherson, a drone attacked a minibus. As a result, a child died, and two employees of the State Tax Service were injured.

Oleg Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, confirmed that all victims are receiving the necessary medical assistance.

Call for Peace

Zelenskyy assured that Ukrainian air defense and armed forces will do everything possible to protect the country. However, according to him, it is necessary to put Russia in a situation where it has no choice but to go for peace negotiations. "Everyone must understand who we are dealing with and the baseness with which the RF continues this war," the president emphasized.