Zelensky warns of major Russian attack and cites US midterms

In his evening address on 2 November, Zelensky said he had intelligence that Russia was preparing a new large-scale attack, primarily targeting Ukraine’s energy and logistics infrastructure.

He said he believed Russia was counting on the world’s attention being focused on the US midterm elections, leaving events in Ukraine and its difficulties with air defence and Patriot missiles overlooked. The US federal election is on 3 November.

Zelensky did not disclose the intelligence behind his warning or give a date for the feared attack.

He urged the US and other countries to increase pressure on Russia, saying they could force it to end the war. “We must not play games with Russia’s oil or gas revenues,” he said, according to the English translation published by his office.