Russian defense ministry says it will intensify strikes on Ukrainian military sites
In short
Russia's Defense Ministry said the Russian army will intensify strikes on military targets in Ukraine, including military infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions, TASS reported. RBC reported the ministry said strikes on military and military-industrial facilities would be stepped up after statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which neither report describes or quotes.
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The Russian Defense Ministry said the Russian army will intensify strikes on military targets in Ukraine, according to TASS. The ministry said strikes would also be stepped up on military infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions, TASS reported. [ 1 ]
RBC reported that the ministry said it would intensify strikes on military and military-industrial facilities in Ukraine after statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Neither report quotes those statements, and neither gives details of specific targets or timing. The ministry's announcement was reported by TASS at 12:52 local time and by RBC at 13:05 local time. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The ministry's announcement points to a further escalation of Russian strikes inside Ukraine, including the capital, as reported by a state outlet and a business outlet. Both accounts rest on the Russian Defense Ministry's own statement, and the remarks by the Ukrainian president cited as the trigger are not described or quoted in either document, so the scope and timing of the strikes are not independently established.
Key facts
- The Russian Defense Ministry said the Russian army will intensify strikes on military targets in Ukraine. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The ministry said strikes will also be stepped up on military infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions, according to TASS. [ 1 ]
- RBC reported the ministry said it would intensify strikes on military and military-industrial facilities in Ukraine. [ 2 ]
- According to RBC, the ministry linked the move to statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. [ 2 ]
- TASS published its report at 12:52 local time and RBC at 13:05 local time. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- What Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Russian Defense Ministry was responding to. Only RBC mentions Zelensky's statements as the trigger, and neither document quotes or describes them.
- Which specific targets will be hit and when the intensified strikes will take place. The documents describe an announced intention and name only Kyiv and unspecified other regions.
- Whether any intensified strikes have already occurred. Both documents report an announcement about future action, not strikes carried out.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports the Russian Defense Ministry saying the army will intensify strikes on Ukrainian military targets, including military infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions. [ 1 ]
- RBC reports the ministry will intensify strikes on military and military-industrial facilities after statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. [ 2 ]