Russia Vows to Step Up Strikes on Ukraine Following Zelensky Interview

Russia's Defense Ministry announced on Sunday that its forces will increase the intensity of strikes on military facilities, defense industry sites and related infrastructure in Kyiv and across Ukraine. The statement came in response to comments from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who vowed to escalate attacks on Russian oil refineries.

In an interview with Reuters published Saturday, Zelensky said Ukraine would double down on targeting Russian refineries in response to a new Russian policy of airstrikes aimed at forcing residents to abandon Kyiv and other cities. He stressed that Ukraine would not target civilians.

Escalation Over Kyiv

Russia has recently ramped up strikes on infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital, including hitting bridges across the Dnipro river. The intensifying campaign has seriously disrupted daily life for Kyiv's roughly 3 million residents as the city heads into the harsh winter months.

The Russian Defense Ministry described its recent strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions as a response to what it called attacks by Kyiv on civilian targets inside Russia. Both Moscow and Kyiv deny deliberately targeting civilians.