Zelensky vows new strikes inside Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans on Wednesday for further counter-strikes deep inside Russian territory following talks with Ukraine’s military leadership.

In his evening video address released in Kiev, Zelensky said the attacks were intended to show Moscow that it would “have to pay for the war with its own losses.”

Russian oil industry facilities remain a particular focus of the strikes, he said, as Kiev seeks to reduce Moscow’s energy export revenues, which are considered crucial to financing Russia’s war economy.

In recent weeks, Zelensky has repeatedly shared videos and images on social media showing Ukrainian strikes inside Russia, drawing anger in Moscow.

The attacks have reportedly caused civilian casualties and damage to non-military infrastructure. Russia has responded by threatening retaliatory strikes against what it describes as key decision-making centres in Kiev – a term generally understood to refer to military command facilities.

Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion for more than four years with Western assistance.