Russia plans new ground attack on Kyiv, Ukraine warns

Ukraine has intelligence suggesting Russia is preparing new ground offensives against Kyiv and Chernihiv, while Moscow intensifies its drone strikes on Ukrainian cities. According to deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Pavlo Palisa, Russian military chiefs have been instructed by the Kremlin’s political leaders to plan and prepare for attacks on the two cities.

Palisa stated that there is currently no concrete evidence that Russian troops are assembling for the attacks, and Ukraine's main concern is to prevent conditions that would allow Russia to launch any offensive actions. Prior to the current situation, Russian forces conducted a ground attack on Kyiv at the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, supported partly by Belarus, but were ultimately defeated by Ukraine's military.

Recent reports from the Wall Street Journal indicate that Russia is testing its capability to mobilize additional troops. The Kremlin is experiencing a higher loss rate than it can replace, and a significant number of Russians are leaving the country due to growing concerns that Moscow may announce a new mobilization effort. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported on Saturday that Russia’s escalation is advancing.

Tusk made these remarks after receiving a briefing from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, just days after CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow and cautioned Russian officials against escalating conflict with NATO allies in America. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Kyiv is under a "virtually nonstop attack from jet-powered drones," and admitted that Ukraine needs to quickly increase production of interceptors capable of taking down Iranian-designed Shahed drones.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the critical nature of the next six months, stating that Poland and NATO must be ready for various scenarios.