“Our intelligence report: we received data, including from American and European partners, about the Russians preparing a strike using the ‘Oreshnik.’ We are verifying this information,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was seeing signs of preparations for a combined Russian strike against Ukrainian territory, including Kyiv. He said various weapons could be used in the attack, including the medium-range system mentioned in the intelligence report.
“We see signs of preparations for a combined strike on Ukrainian territory, including Kyiv, using various weapons. The aforementioned medium-range weapons could be used in such a strike,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president urged people to take air raid alerts seriously from the evening onward. He called on civilians to protect their lives and use shelters.
“It is important to consciously respond to air raid signals, starting from this evening. Russian madness is truly boundless, so please, protect your lives – use shelters,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was drawing the attention of partners in the United States and Europe to the wider consequences of Russia’s possible use of such weapons. He said the continued war and the use of such systems could serve as a global example for other potential aggressors.
“Second: we draw the attention of partners both in the United States and in Europe to the fact that the use of such weapons and the prolongation of this war serve as a global example for other potential aggressors as well,” Zelenskyy said.
“If Russia is allowed to destroy lives on such a scale, no agreement will restrain other similar regimes based on hatred from aggression and strikes,” he said.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine expected the world to respond before any further escalation, rather than after the fact. He called for pressure on Moscow to prevent an expansion of the war.
“We count on the world’s reaction, and that the reaction will be not post-factum, but preventive – pressure must be put on Moscow so that they do not escalate the war,” Zelenskyy said.
The president said Ukraine was preparing its air defences as much as possible. He also said Ukraine would respond to every Russian strike.
“Third: we are preparing air defense as much as possible, and we will respond entirely justly to every Russian strike,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had allowed a parade, but that Russia had no permission for what he called madness. He said the war must end and that peace was needed instead of missiles serving one person’s ambitions.
“We have given permission for the parade, but there is no permission for madness in Russia,” Zelenskyy said. “This war must be ended – peace is needed, not some rockets to satisfy the sick ambitions of one individual.”
Zelenskyy thanked those helping to protect lives and repeated his appeal for people to use shelters. “Thank you to everyone who helps protect lives! Once again: please, take care of yourselves and use shelters today,” he said.