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Russia plotting ‘massive strike’ during midterms, Zelenskyy warns, urges US to stop Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said intelligence indicated Russia was preparing a large attack on Ukraine during the US midterm elections, when he believes international attention may be focused elsewhere. He said energy infrastructure and logistics could be targeted and urged Washington and its allies to increase economic pressure on Moscow.
His warning followed a Russian strike on a school distributing humanitarian aid in Zaporizhzhia region, which Ukrainian media reported killed at least 26 people and injured five, with others missing. Zelenskyy also offered to pause Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for a month if the US supplied Patriot interceptors; a proposed sale of 500 missiles, estimated at $2.1 billion, had been approved by the State Department, but delivery timing was uncertain. Ukraine separately accused Russian forces of using a six-day humanitarian pause in Oleshky to reinforce positions.
In short
- Zelenskyy warned of a possible Russian attack during US midterm elections.
- He said energy and logistics infrastructure could be targeted.
- Ukraine offered a month-long refinery strike pause for Patriot missiles.
Explained simply
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the two countries have since fought across a shifting front line. Russia has attacked Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, while Ukraine has struck targets inside Russia, including oil refineries that support its economy and war effort.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Ukraine’s president; Vladimir Putin is Russia’s president. The United States is a major supplier of weapons and financial support to Ukraine, and its midterm elections choose members of Congress, whose decisions can affect US policy and funding.
Energy facilities matter because damage can disrupt electricity, heating and transport, while air-defence systems such as Patriot interceptors are used to stop incoming missiles. The timing of US support and the level of international attention can therefore affect Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.
Americas Elections Europe Politics Russia-Ukraine War World