President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Friday via Telegram that Ukrainian intelligence services have information indicating Russia is preparing a major new attack. In his nightly video address later the same day, Zelenskiy reiterated the intelligence assessment, saying: "We have intelligence information about Russia preparing a new large-scale strike."
Zelenskiy also emphasized that Ukrainian security services are responding and standing ready. He said the Air Force and other defenders of the sky will operate around the clock, as they have been doing.
On Monday, Russia stated its intention to carry out what it called "systematic strikes" on targets in Kyiv and publicly urged foreigners and diplomatic staff to leave the capital. Moscow characterized the planned action as a response to a drone strike the previous week on a dormitory in the Russia-held Luhansk region, an incident that reportedly killed 21 people. Ukraine has denied responsibility for that dormitory strike.
Fighting and strikes across Ukraine have continued. Russian attacks on Kyiv and other parts of the country last Sunday resulted in two fatalities and left dozens injured, according to reports.
In his Telegram post, Zelenskiy pressed for stronger measures against Russia, calling for the imposition of further sanctions. He also warned that implementation of previously agreed measures on air defence with international partners must not be delayed, stressing the need for timely delivery and deployment.
Although details about the timing, scale, and exact targets of any potential new Russian operations were not provided in the statements quoted by Zelenskiy, his public remarks underline Kyiv's assessment of an elevated threat level and the governments prioritization of air-defence readiness and diplomatic pressure through sanctions.
For now, Ukraine's official position is that its defenders are prepared to respond. The situation remains fluid and dependent on further developments from both sides.