Zelenskyy: Russia intensifies efforts to locate Ukraine’s top officials
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russian forces are intensifying their search for political and military targets in Kyiv for potential new strikes, including the building on Bankova Street (a historic, largely pedestrianized street in central Kyiv, Ukraine, known primarily as the location of the Office of the President of Ukraine). However, he emphasized that the country’s leadership and Ukrainians are ready to defend independence under any circumstances, according to the official Telegram channel of the President of Ukraine.
Plans to target Ukraine’s leadership
According to the president, Ukrainian intelligence services possess Russian documents that detail potential targets for future strikes in the capital and other cities across the country.
"There are Russian documents in our possession that propose targets for strikes on Kyiv and other our cities — political and military targets, where the military leadership, the government could be located, including Bankova Street here. They have been developing this plan for a long time — now, after Iran, they have become active again — they are looking for where we are, where we stay," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
He added that this does not concern him personally alone, but also other members of Ukraine’s military and political leadership, as well as intelligence and special services.
Readiness to defend sovereignty
The head of state assured that such enemy plans, as well as attempts to intimidate or eliminate Ukraine’s leadership, will not change the position of the Ukrainian people.
"Some people in Moscow still do not understand that Ukrainians will never give up their independence, and in any case — with or without Bankova — we will not surrender our land, our sovereignty, our state," Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded.
Plans to strike 'decision-making centers'
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense previously intercepted documents confirming Russia’s preparations for new missile and drone attacks.
According to these data, Russia is planning strikes on so-called "decision-making centers," including nearly two dozen political sites and military command posts.
In particular, the published target images reportedly include buildings in central Kyiv, offices of the Presidential Office on different floors, and the state residence of the head of state.
This escalation by the enemy comes amid a recent large-scale aerial attack, during which Russia launched more than 1,500 drones and 56 missiles across Ukraine. In response, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already instructed the Defense Forces and Ukrainian intelligence services to prepare reciprocal measures.
