Russia's Defense Ministry says it will intensify strikes on Ukraine
In short
Russia's Defense Ministry said it will intensify strikes on military and military-industrial facilities and related infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine. The ministry said the decision followed a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about increasing attacks on Russian oil refineries, and that Ukrainians should blame him for the consequences. Kommersant noted the statement gave no parameters by which a change in the frequency or scale of strikes could be judged.
Why it matters
The announcement points to continued and potentially heavier Russian strikes on Ukrainian military and military-industrial targets, though the documents provide no basis for judging how much will change. The claims about Ukrainian attacks behind the decision come from the Russian ministry and were not corroborated by any Ukrainian source in the documents, so the scale and timing of any escalation remain open.
Key facts
- Russia's Defense Ministry said strikes on military and military-industrial facilities and related infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine will be intensified. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The ministry said the decision followed a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about increasing attacks on Russian oil refineries. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- The ministry said the population of Ukraine should blame Zelensky for the intensified strikes and that he bears full personal and political responsibility. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The ministry said Russia carries out massed strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions in response to Ukraine's actions. [ 3 ]
- Kommersant noted the statement contains no parameters by which a change in the frequency or scale of strikes could be determined. [ 4 ]
- Kommersant, citing the Belgorod region governor Alexander Shuvayev, reported that one person was killed and 12 injured in overnight strikes on the region. [ 4 ]
- The ministry cited Ukrainian strikes on district election commissions that it said killed six civilians, a mass drone attack on Moscow on 19–20 September and attempts to disrupt a St Petersburg economic forum in June 2026. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Russia's Defense Ministry said strikes on military and military-industrial facilities and related infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine will be intensified. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The ministry linked the decision to a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about increasing attacks on Russian oil refineries. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- The ministry said Ukrainians should blame Zelensky for the intensified strikes. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Zelensky made the statement the Russian Defense Ministry attributed to him. No Ukrainian source or direct quotation of Zelensky appears in the documents; the claim comes only from the Russian ministry and outlets relaying its statement.
- What the intensified strikes will involve in terms of frequency, scale or targets beyond military and military-industrial sites. Kommersant states the announcement contains no parameters by which a change in the frequency or scale of strikes could be determined.
- The casualty figures from the overnight strike on Belgorod. Single source: the Belgorod region governor as cited by Kommersant; the other documents do not mention it.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti publishes the Defense Ministry's statement on intensified strikes and on blaming Zelensky. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Interfax reports the ministry said it will intensify strikes on military and military-industrial sites in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions. [ 3 ]
- Kommersant publishes its report, noting the statement gives no parameters for judging a change in strike frequency or scale. [ 4 ]