Zelenskiy accuses Putin of planning to destroy life in Ukrainian cities

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed an intention to destroy life in major Ukrainian cities to people in his close circle. Zelenskiy described the claim as genuine information but did not disclose its source or identify the individuals involved.

He linked the allegation to repeated Russian attacks on urban centres, specifically naming Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa. Zelenskiy characterised the strikes as continuous terror against civilians.

“Putin told people in his close circle that he wants to destroy life in these cities.”

The Ukrainian president also criticised speed restrictions on the American Starshield system, saying they hamper the interception of Russian drones and lead to more hits and casualties. He did not provide casualty figures.

Speaking at the ninth European Political Community summit on Thursday, Zelenskiy warned against any recognition of Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory. He called for stronger Ukrainian air defence, additional ammunition for F-16 fighter jets and urgent energy support ahead of winter.

Zelenskiy stated that Ukrainian forces maintain strong positions on the front line, crediting cooperation with international partners. He criticised the manner in which the United States and Russia discuss the future of European security.

The report did not state when Putin allegedly made the remarks or who heard them. No independent verification of the claim was provided.