Kyiv (Ukraine), October 4, 2026, BNN Web Staff: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has alleged that Russia has adopted a new military strategy involving expanded attacks on civilian infrastructure across Ukraine, saying the aim is to pressure people to leave Kyiv and other urban centres.
In an interview with Reuters, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents indicating that Russian President Vladimir Putin had authorised a broader campaign targeting infrastructure, logistics and other facilities ahead of the winter season.
According to Zelenskyy, the alleged strategy includes attacks on roads, schools, hospitals, villages and cities, which he said were intended to put pressure on civilians to leave populated areas.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would respond to Russian attacks, particularly against energy-related targets, but would not adopt what he described as indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure.
“We have to respond in any way we can,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine would focus on Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities that generate revenue for Moscow’s war effort.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, has urged foreign nationals to leave Kyiv and said Moscow would continue carrying out what it described as retaliatory strikes in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russia. Both Moscow and Kyiv deny deliberately targeting civilians.
Zelenskyy also said Ukrainian forces had recaptured around 140 square kilometres of territory in the eastern Donbas region in an ongoing counteroffensive that Kyiv has code-named “Vivaldi”. Russia has maintained that control over the entire Donbas is a key condition for a potential peace agreement.
The comments came amid renewed diplomatic efforts by the United States to revive negotiations aimed at ending the war. Zelenskyy said Kyiv had not seen signs that Putin was prepared to agree to a ceasefire or negotiations over attacks on energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian capital has faced repeated Russian drone and missile strikes in recent weeks, with attacks reported on energy and telecommunications facilities as well as road and rail infrastructure. Zelenskyy said bridges over the Dnipro River in Kyiv had also come under attack.
Ukraine is also preparing for a possible escalation in Russian attacks on critical infrastructure during winter. Ukrainian officials have warned that Moscow has accumulated ballistic missiles for potential strikes on electricity and water facilities.
Zelenskyy said Russia had also increased its use of jet-powered Shahed drones, forcing Ukraine to rely heavily on fighter aircraft, including F-16s and MiGs, to intercept them. He said Ukraine was working on electronic warfare systems, new air-defence missiles and interceptor drones to counter the threat.
Ukraine has also announced the first combat use of its domestically produced FP-7 ballistic missile, which has a reported range of about 250 kilometres. Zelenskyy said Kyiv was pressing manufacturers to complete a longer-range version.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is seeking additional financial and military support from European partners. Zelenskyy said Kyiv was working with European countries to address a reported USD 27 billion gap in its defence budget and secure resources for military operations into 2027.
