Zelensky warns of a new massive Russian strike on Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky said, citing Ukrainian intelligence, that Russia is preparing a new massive strike on Ukraine, primarily targeting energy and logistics infrastructure. He said Ukraine will respond and called on international partners to increase pressure on Moscow.
L'essentiel
- Zelensky announced the warning on 2 November in his evening address.
- Ukrainian intelligence says Russia is preparing a new massive strike on Ukraine.
- Energy and logistics infrastructure are identified as the main potential targets.
- Zelensky said Russia now targets grids and energy distribution systems in addition to power generation.
- Ukraine resumed attacks on Russia's oil sector on 30 October.
- The government was instructed to renew monthly payments for energy and repair workers.
- Zelensky called on Western partners to increase pressure on Russia.
Pourquoi c’est important
A new strike against energy and logistics networks could disrupt essential infrastructure across Ukraine, affecting electricity supply, transport and the functioning of the war economy. Zelensky said Ukraine would respond to Russian attacks and called on international partners to increase pressure on Moscow. He also warned that missile and air-defence shortages could receive less international attention during the US congressional midterms.
Ce qui s’est passé
Zelensky said in his evening address on 2 November, citing Ukrainian intelligence, that Russia is preparing a new massive strike on Ukraine. Energy and logistics infrastructure are identified as the main potential targets. He said Russia has expanded its attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector, striking not only power generation facilities but also grids and distribution systems. Ukraine resumed attacks on Russia's oil sector on 30 October while Russian strikes continued. Zelensky instructed the government to renew the programme of monthly payments for energy workers and repair crews for autumn and winter, and said Ukrainian personnel were working around the clock to repair the damage. He added that Kyiv was prepared to stop attacking Russian oil refineries under conditions that were not disclosed in the supplied material.
Ce qu’en disent les sources ukrainiennes
Ukrainian reporting centres on Zelensky's warning, the intelligence assessment identifying energy and logistics as likely targets, and Ukraine's domestic response. Reports emphasize the expanding scope of Russian attacks on energy networks, the round-the-clock work of energy and repair personnel, government support for those workers and preparations for a response.
Ce qu’en disent les sources internationales
International reporting places more emphasis on the possible timing of the attack around the US congressional midterms and the risk that international attention will shift away from Ukraine. It also highlights Zelensky's warning about shortages of missiles for air defence and his appeal for Western partners to pressure Russia, as well as the potential consequences for Ukrainian infrastructure.
Là où les récits divergent
The reports disagree on when Russia changed its tactics for striking Ukraine's energy sector: some say 2023, one says 2024, while others refer to 2025 or 2026. They also differ on whether payments for energy workers were to be renewed for autumn and winter 2025 or autumn and winter 2026.
Contexte
Russia has expanded its attacks on Ukraine's energy sector to include grids and distribution infrastructure alongside power generation. Ukraine resumed attacks on Russia's oil sector on 30 October as Russian strikes continued. Kyiv said it was ready to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries if specified conditions were met.