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Zelensky warns Moscow 'will burn' if Ukraine burns, justifies refinery drone strike
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด Romania /Conflict & Security

Zelensky warns Moscow 'will burn' if Ukraine burns, justifies refinery drone strike

From Adevฤƒrul · () Romanian

Translated from Romanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine will continue to respond to Russian attacks, calling a drone strike on a Moscow oil refinery "fully justified."
  • Zelensky framed the refinery attack as retaliation for Russia's earlier strike on the UNESCO-listed Kyiv Pechersk Lavra complex, warning that "if Ukraine burns, Moscow will burn too."
  • He urged for intensified economic pressure on Russia, particularly targeting its energy sector and financial systems, to make the Russian people understand that President Putin alone is prolonging the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that Ukraine will persist in retaliating against Russian assaults, asserting that a recent drone attack on a major oil refinery near Moscow was "fully justified." He characterized the strike as a direct response to Russia's earlier bombardment of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a significant religious and historical site.

If Putin does not want to end this war and wants to continue it, we will not stand idly by, we will respond.

โ€” Volodymyr ZelenskyPresident Zelensky explained Ukraine's policy of retaliation against Russian attacks.

"If Putin does not want to end this war and wants to continue it, we will not stand idly by, we will respond," Zelensky stated, issuing a stark warning to the Kremlin: "If Ukraine burns, Moscow will burn too." He explained that the drone operation was the materialization of a prior warning he had issued regarding a response to the attack on the Lavra complex.

If Ukraine burns, Moscow will burn too.

โ€” Volodymyr ZelenskyPresident Zelensky issued a direct warning to Russia regarding the continuation of the conflict.

Despite the escalating rhetoric, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine does not desire the continuation of the conflict and aims for its conclusion. He also commented on the perceived ineffectiveness of Russia's air defense systems around Moscow, noting that despite multiple layers of defense, Ukraine could still target strategic locations. Ukrainian military intelligence reported that the targeted refinery is crucial, supplying about 40% of Moscow's fuel needs and a significant portion of the region's gasoline.

We were at Lavra Pechersk and said that we would prepare a response and you will see it. I think you are seeing it now.

โ€” Volodymyr ZelenskyPresident Zelensky linked the drone attack to a previous warning after the attack on the Lavra complex.

Zelensky appealed for stronger international sanctions against Russia, emphasizing the need to target the energy sector, oil and gas revenues, the banking system, the defense industry, and the "shadow fleet" used for oil exports. He stressed the importance of the Russian populace understanding that President Putin alone bears responsibility for the war and its consequences, advocating for amplified pressure from both Ukraine and its Western allies.

As you can all see, regardless of the three rings of air defense that Moscow has, I said we would target them.

โ€” Volodymyr ZelenskyPresident Zelensky commented on the effectiveness of Russian air defenses.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Adevฤƒrul in Romanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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