Russian Defense Ministry Promises to Intensify Strikes on Ukraine

The Russian Ministry of Defense said on Sunday that Russia will intensify its attacks on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine in response to an interview conducted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he pledged to increase attacks on Russian oil refineries.

The ministry added that Russian forces will escalate their attacks on military facilities, defense industry sites, and related infrastructure in Kyiv and other areas of Ukraine.

Zelensky mentioned in an interview with Reuters published on Saturday that Ukraine will intensify its attacks on Russian oil refineries in response to what he described as a new policy adopted by Moscow, which involves airstrikes aimed at forcing residents to leave Kyiv and other cities. However, he emphasized that Ukraine will not target civilians.

Recently, Russia has escalated its attacks on infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital, including targeting bridges over the Dnipro River. The escalating campaign has caused severe disruption to the lives of about 3 million residents of the capital, ahead of the harsh winter months.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its recent strikes on Kyiv and other areas of Ukraine were in response to what it described as attacks launched by Kyiv on civilian targets within Russia.