Zelenskyy surprised by Russia's "savage desire" to escalate war, says it was Russia that struck first
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed surprise at Russia's "savage desire" to escalate the war daily and stressed that Russia was the first to launch strikes, including against warehouses belonging to Ukrainian postal services Nova Poshta and Ukrposhta.
Source: press service for Zelenskyy, citing the president during a media briefing alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz; Russian Ministry of Defence on Telegram
Quote from Zelenskyy: "The Russians are escalating. I am not surprised by Russia's hatred of Ukraine, but I am surprised by this approach. They struck our warehouses – Nova Poshta, Ukrposhta and others. We gave them a fitting response with Wildberries.
Now they are striking bridges. Do they really think we won't respond? They are striking data centres. All of this affects people. This is certainly not some kind of military infrastructure. How can they strike data centres, mobile communications? How does Putin not think about the fact that mobile communications are used not only in Kyiv, in Ukraine? They are used in Moscow too."
Details: Zelenskyy noted that he is "surprised by this savage desire to escalate every single day."
Quote from Zelenskyy: "In other words, he [Putin] is counting on constant escalation. He wants this very much. This is an answer to everyone – to those who believe that all you have to do is simply ask Putin and he will end the war for real. It won't happen simply."
More details: The Russian Ministry of Defence previously claimed that it is launching strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities "in response" to Ukraine's actions.
They also threatened to step up strikes "against military and defence industry facilities and associated infrastructure" in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine.
Background: In an interview with Reuters released on 3 October, Zelenskyy said Ukraine will increase its strikes on Russian oil refineries in response to Moscow's new campaign of airstrikes aimed at forcing people to flee Kyiv and other cities.
Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.