Zelensky warns of new large-scale Russian attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Russia is preparing a new large-scale attack against his country. Zelensky has urged residents to take protective measures.

According to AFP, on Saturday, 30 May 2026, Kyiv was severely affected by a major Russian bombardment over the weekend. This attack is one of the largest since the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Moscow has warned foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv. Russia has threatened to escalate attacks in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on dormitories and vocational schools in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, which Moscow claims killed 21 people.

“We have intelligence information that Russia is preparing a new large-scale attack,” Zelensky said in a social media post.

“Please heed air raid warnings and protect your lives. Our services are working efficiently and are prepared; the Air Force and our other sky defenders will be on duty 24/7 as usual,” he said.

The Ukrainian president has reiterated his call for allies to approve and fund the supply of Patriot missiles, which can intercept Russian ballistic missiles.

He wrote to US President Donald Trump and the US Congress earlier this week, requesting the Patriot system to counter Russia’s intensifying air strikes.

Ukraine has also intensified its attacks on occupied territories and Russia in response to daily Russian bombings.

US-mediated efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict have stalled since the outbreak of war in the Middle East, which has absorbed Washington’s attention and resources.