Ukraine President Zelenskiy says intelligence shows Russia preparing new massive attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned of a possible imminent Russian mass attack, urging citizens to heed air raid alerts as defense measures are activated. Russian strikes have frequently targeted cities and energy infrastructure, including Kyiv.

Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar/Reuters

March 24, 2026

Ukraine President Zelenskiy says intelligence shows Russia preparing new massive attack

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech during a joint press conference with France's President Emmanuel Macron, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, March 13, 2026.

Ludovic Marin/Reuters

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that Ukrainian intelligence believed Russian forces were preparing a new, imminent mass attack on the country.

Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, suggested the new attack could occur on Monday, but gave no further details of a time frame or possible targets.

"Please pay attention to air raid alerts today. Intelligence indicates that Russia may be preparing a massive strike," he said. "Relevant orders for air defence have already been issued."

Russian forces have regularly staged air strikes on Ukrainian towns and cities, mainly at night and including the capital Kyiv. Energy infrastructure has been a repeated target.

-Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar/Reuters