All articles tagged with #zelensky
Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence, with data from the US and European partners, believes Russia is preparing to launch an Oreshnik missile as part of a broader attack that could target Kyiv; Ukraine is strengthening air defenses, pressing Western allies to increase pressure on Moscow, and urging civilians to heed air‑raid alerts and take shelter as the war moves toward a peace-based end.
Zelensky told EU leaders that Germany’s proposal for Ukraine to join EU meetings as an 'associate' member is unfair because Kyiv would be voiceless; he urged a full, meaningful path to EU membership and cited Viktor Orban’s removal as an opportunity to accelerate accession, while thanking allies for their support.
Zelensky confirmed long-range Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian oil infrastructure, including the Yaroslavl (Slavneft-YANOS) refinery, marking the fourth strike on that facility in May. Russian authorities did not officially confirm damage; Kyiv says energy facilities are valid military targets and notes that Ukraine has hit Russian oil refineries about 158 times since the war began.
Ukraine says it has liberated 590 square kilometers from Russian occupation this year, arguing that intensified frontline operations and sanctions are pushing Russia toward diplomacy; Zelensky notes European leaders’ alignment on Ukraine’s approach and is awaiting a US response on potential meeting formats, while Rubio says US-brokered peace talks have been paused.
Zelensky warned Belarus there will be consequences if Minsk deepens its involvement in the war, as Kyiv braces for a potential northern front while Belarus and Russia conduct joint nuclear exercises; Lukashenko denied plans to intervene and invited a meeting with Zelensky, but Kyiv rejected the proposal and warned that easing sanctions would not bring peace and could invite further Russian pressure.
Zelensky announced Ukrainian special forces struck a Russian FSB headquarters in the occupied Kherson region and destroyed a Pantsir-S1 air defense system, with around 100 Russian casualties. The operation targeted Henicheska Hirka near the Sea of Azov and was part of broader security actions in northern regions near Russia and Belarus, carried out by the SSU Center for Special Operations “A.”
President Zelensky warned Moscow may mount a northern offensive toward Ukraine’s Chernihiv–Kyiv axis, possibly with Belarus involvement; Kyiv says it is strengthening defenses in the north and pressing Belarus and partners on diplomatic coordination to deter any new front.
Zelensky says Russia is preparing five possible offensives to expand the war into northern Ukraine and could mobilize up to 100,000 more troops; Kyiv is studying intelligence on threats along the Chernihiv–Kyiv axis, pledges to respond, and plans to broaden long-range strikes, while Belarus–Russia joint exercises raise concerns about broader involvement.
Ukraine’s largest corruption probe centers on a luxury housing complex near Kyiv allegedly financed with laundered money linked to the Energoatom scandal and tied to top officials including Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov and ex-presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak, with four mansions built for elites and a fifth for spa amenities. Investigators say about $9 million was laundered through shell companies and kickbacks, much of it diverted from Energoatom-related contracts; the High Anti-Corruption Court has seized the land and unfinished houses as the investigation continues, while Zelensky remains immune from prosecution.
Ukraine says Russia plans to strike Kyiv’s President’s Office and state residence while Ukrainian drones hit Russian targets including the Ryazan refinery; 205 Ukrainian POWs are released in the latest exchange; Russia seeks to involve Belarus in new aggression; a milblogger posts then deletes footage of a drone attack on a UN vehicle in Kherson; Zelensky honors victims of the May 14 Kyiv attack as Europe moves toward a Nuremberg-style tribunal to prosecute Russia’s leadership, backed by 36 countries and the EU.
Ukraine’s president said Russia plans to hit around two dozen “decision-making centers,” including the President’s Office in Kyiv and the state residence in Koncha Zaspa, citing documents from Ukraine’s military intelligence; Kyiv says it has factored the information into defense planning amid ongoing war and a deadly May attack, as ceasefire talks remain unresolved.
Zelensky says Russia pressed Belarusian President Lukashenko to join new acts of aggression and could mount attacks on Ukraine or NATO from Belarus; Kyiv notes Minsk has allowed Russian use of its territory and vows to strengthen northern defenses and respond if Lukashenko aids Moscow.
Ukraine officials say Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff is a suspect in a money‑laundering probe. The authorities have not publicly named the person or announced charges, and the investigation appears ongoing. Zelenskyy's office emphasized due process and the presumption of innocence, as the case unfolds and draws attention to potential corruption at high levels.
Zelensky said Putin signaled readiness for real negotiations as Ukraine pushes for a concrete talks format and prepares a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange with US mediation. He warned that Ukraine will respond immediately if Russia resumes large-scale strikes and stressed that any deal must include lasting security guarantees. Moscow signaled willingness to host a meeting but Kyiv rejected a venue in Russia; Zelensky remains open to meeting Putin in a neutral location, with talks contingent on guarantees and tangible security outcomes.
Ukraine’s former presidential office chief Andriy Yermak has been charged with money laundering as part of a sweeping corruption probe centered on Energoatom, the state nuclear monopoly. SAPO publicly announced the charges but did not name Yermak; sources confirm it is him. The Energoatom case, described as the largest corruption probe of Zelensky’s tenure, already has nine suspects charged and involves a $100 million scheme linked to payments and the construction of luxury homes near Kyiv, including a residence reportedly intended for Yermak. Yermak resigned from his post in November 2025 amid the investigation; Zelensky has not commented on the charges.