Strikes on Kyiv and a threat from Belarus: Zelensky announced new Russian plans

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky 15 May 2026 announced that he held a meeting with the heads of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign Intelligence Service and the Security Service of Ukraine. They discussed three key issues: further strikes on Russian targets, a threat from Belarus and the Russian Federation’s preparations for new missile-and-drone attacks.

According to the head of state, Ukraine is identifying targets for further long-range “sanctions” against Russia. This concerns a response to Russian strikes on Ukrainian towns and villages. Volodymyr Zelensky said that no strike that takes Ukrainian lives will go without consequences for the aggressor. Ukraine, he said, is responding appropriately against the Russian oil industry, military production and individuals involved in war crimes.

Separately, the president reported attempts by Russia to draw Belarus more deeply into the war against Ukraine. He said there were additional contacts between the Russians and Alexander Lukashenko. This concerns possible new aggressive actions from the territory of Belarus – either against the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction, or against one of the NATO countries bordering Belarus. Against this background Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the Defence and Security Forces of Ukraine to strengthen the relevant direction and prepare a response plan. It is to be considered and approved by the Stavka.

Another section of the meeting concerned documents that, according to the president, were obtained by specialists of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence. They allegedly indicate Russia’s preparation of new missile-and-drone strikes on Ukraine, in particular against so-called “decision-making centers”. According to Volodymyr Zelensky, among the possible targets listed in Russian documents are almost two dozen political centers, military points, facilities in Kyiv and other cities. He specifically mentioned Bankova.

The president emphasized that those in Moscow are mistaken if they think that strikes on individual targets can break the state. In his words, the strength of Ukraine’s resistance is not in buildings, but in the readiness of the Ukrainian people to fight for independence.

Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia must end the war and negotiate a dignified peace, not seek new ways to intimidate Ukraine.

“Some people there, in Moscow, still have not understood that Ukrainians will never give up their independence, and in any case – with Bankova or without Bankova – we will not surrender our land, our sovereignty, our state”.

Previously, we wrote:

• Almost two days of terror: Russia launched 1,567 drones and 56 missiles at Ukraine
• There may still be people under the rubble: Russia destroyed the entrance of a nine-story building in Kyiv
• Zelensky: Russia has already broken the ceasefire, committing 1,820 violations as of the morning of 6 May
• Despite the announced truce, Russia attacked: Iskander-M and 43 drones
• Zelensky: for the first time we have sufficient weaponry to repel Russia’s strikes