Russia to intensify strikes on Ukraine after Zelenskiy interview

Russian forces are set to intensify their strikes on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine, according to a statement from the Russian Defence Ministry on Sunday. The escalation comes in response to an interview given by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in which he pledged to step up attacks on Russian refineries.

The ministry announced that Russian forces would increase their attacks on military facilities, defense industry sites, and related infrastructure in Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine. Zelenskiy had previously told Reuters that Ukraine would double down on their attacks on Russian oil refineries, as part of a new policy of airstrikes designed to force people to abandon Kyiv and other cities. However, he reiterated that civilian targets would not be targeted.

Recent Russian strikes on infrastructure in Kyiv, including bridges across the Dnipro river, have severely disrupted life for the city's 3 million residents as winter approaches. Both Russia and Ukraine deny targeting civilians in their ongoing conflict.