Ukraine warns Russia is planning new ground offensive on Kyiv and Chernihiv

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Ukraine has intelligence that Russia is planning new ground offensives against Kyiv and Chernihiv — while Moscow ramps up drone strikes on Ukrainian cities.

Pavlo Palisa, deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office, told reporters that Russian military chiefs have been tasked by the Kremlin’s political leaders with planning and preparing for attacks on the two cities, according to intelligence received and verified by Ukraine.

Palisa said there is not yet evidence that Russian troops are gathering to carry out the attacks, and that Ukraine’s priority is to “prevent the creation of conditions for the Russians to be able to launch any offensive actions at all.”

Russian forces previously attempted a ground attack on Kyiv at the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, launched in part from nearby Belarus, but were ultimately repelled by the Ukrainian military.

Palisa’s comments come not long after a Wall Street Journal report that Russia is testing its ability to mobilize more troops. The Kremlin is now losing more troops than it can recruit, while a growing exodus of Russians reflects escalating fears that Moscow is poised to announce a new mobilization effort.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Saturday that “escalation from Russia’s side is progressing.” He made those comments following a briefing from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, days after CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unexpected visit to Moscow, where he warned Russian officials not to escalate conflict with America’s NATO allies.

Ukraine needs more air support, Tusk said, adding that the next six months “will be decisive, and we must be prepared as Poland and NATO for various scenarios.”

Russia is bombarding Kyiv with “virtually nonstop attack from jet-powered drones,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday . In a separate video address Friday evening, he admitted Ukraine needs to “significantly accelerate” production of interceptors capable of taking down Iranian-designed Shahed drones.