Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Tuesday that Russia was preparing to launch a large-scale attack on Ukraine, saying the authorities were working on countermeasures according to set deadlines. The warning came as Kyiv began strengthening protection for its bridges against drones and imposed scheduled power cuts following strikes targeting energy infrastructure in the capital.
Following a conference call involving government officials, military commanders and officials from other agencies, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had received new intelligence concerning Russian movements. He said: "Today we received updated intelligence regarding Russia's preparations to launch a major attack. We are working on countermeasures."
The Ukrainian president added that deadlines had been set for completing a substantial part of the tasks linked to those measures, while work on tasks deemed the highest priority had already begun. He said government officials, working with regional authorities, had prepared additional logistical measures in response to the Russian operation targeting Ukraine's logistics infrastructure.
Russian strikes on Kyiv intensify
The warning comes as Russia has intensified its attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks. The strikes have hit transport and energy facilities and warehouses, as well as residential buildings and car parks, prompting the capital's authorities to take measures to protect vital facilities and maintain the movement of transport and supplies.
The authorities have begun installing nets designed to protect against drones on one of the main bridges spanning the Dnipro River. The measure is being used in the capital for the first time since the war began in 2022, after Russian drones equipped with jet engines targeted two of Kyiv's eight bridges in recent days, causing widespread traffic congestion.
The nets were attached to both sides of the northern bridge in an effort to intercept drones and protect traffic. The method is widely used in eastern and southern Ukraine near the front lines, where nets are placed above or alongside transport routes to reduce the risks posed by drone attacks.
Kyiv's bridges, which carry cars and trains, are particularly important to the capital's transport and supply network, making the possibility of Russian strikes against them a source of concern for the Ukrainian authorities. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the situation in the city, which has a population of about three million, as "tragic" last week because of the continuing Russian strikes, accusing Moscow of seeking to "tear apart" the capital.
Kyiv protects bridges and rations electricity
In parallel, Kyiv began rationing electricity after Russian strikes targeted energy facilities. Private company DTEK said the capital had moved to scheduled power cuts to maintain grid stability, following instructions from the national energy transmission company Ukrenergo.
The electricity rationing schedule is due to remain in place until the end of Tuesday. The company urged the capital's residents to reduce consumption to help ease pressure on the grid and avoid resorting to emergency power cuts.
Concerns are growing about the impact of the strikes on the energy sector ahead of winter, after previous Russian attacks cut off electricity and heating for millions of residents during periods of low temperatures.
