Zelensky: Russia preparing new strikes on “decision-making centers” in Ukraine

Specialists from Defense Intelligence of Ukraine have obtained documents indicating that Russia is preparing new missile and drone strikes against Ukraine. The plans allegedly include nearly two dozen political centers and military facilities.

This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram following a meeting with the heads of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Defense Intelligence, the Foreign Intelligence Service, and the Security Service of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

“Specialists from the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine obtained documents indicating that the Russians are preparing new missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, including, as they describe them, against “decision-making centers.” Among these are nearly two dozen political centers and military command posts,” he wrote.

Zelensky noted that the Ukrainian side has taken this information into account.

“But it is worth emphasizing specifically for the Russian leadership that Ukraine is – after all – not Russia. And unlike the aggressor state, where there is a clear author of this war and a long-standing circle around him that sustains his detachment from reality, the source of Ukraine’s defense is the readiness of the Ukrainian people to fight for their independence and for their own sovereign state,” he said.

The President stressed that Ukrainians deserve their sovereignty just like any other nation.

“The people cannot be defeated. Russia must end its war and negotiate a dignified peace, rather than searching for new ways to intimidate Ukraine,” he added.

Read also: General Staff confirms strikes on oil refinery in Ryazan, Russian warships in Kaspiysk

The President also said that the meeting discussed the identification of targets for further long-range “sanctions” against Russia over its war and attacks on Ukrainian cities and villages.

“Ukraine will not allow any of the aggressor’s strikes that take the lives of our people to go unpunished. We are entirely justified in our responses against Russia’s oil industry, military production, and those directly responsible for committing war crimes against Ukraine and Ukrainians. I am grateful to our warriors for their dedication to defending Ukraine’s interests, and to all involved Ukrainian institutions for building a truly strong system of our long-range sanctions,” he wrote.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, the death toll from Russia’s strike on Kyiv on May 14 has risen to 24 people.