Russia announces an intensification of attacks on Ukraine following Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statements regarding Moscow's “new doctrine”

Russia announced on Sunday, October 4, that it would intensify attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure in response to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statements about expanding strikes on Russian refineries.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said the army would intensify attacks on military and industrial facilities, as well as related infrastructure in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions. Moscow presented the measure as a response to statements by the Ukrainian leader.

In an interview with Reuters, Zelensky said Ukraine would intensify its attacks on oil refineries in Russia in response to Moscow’s new bombing policy. He claimed that Ukrainian intelligence services had obtained documents concerning an alleged “new doctrine” by Vladimir Putin that would allow attacks on a wider range of civilian targets ahead of winter.

According to Zelensky, Russia’s objective would be to pressure the population into leaving Kyiv and other cities. The Kremlin did not comment on the allegations, but Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Moscow would continue retaliatory strikes. Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians.