Zelensky accuses Russia of targeted terror against civilians

Sunday 11 January 2026 - 14:00

By: Sahili Aya

Zelensky accuses Russia of targeted terror against civilians

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday accused the Kremlin of conducting deliberate acts of terror against the civilian population, following a wave of Russian airstrikes across several regions of Ukraine over the past week.

According to Zelensky, Russian forces launched a large-scale assault involving hundreds of drones, guided bombs, and missiles. He said the attacks were aimed at non-military targets, including residential buildings and critical energy infrastructure, worsening living conditions for millions of civilians during the winter period.

The Ukrainian leader argued that the timing of the strikes was intentional, designed to exploit freezing temperatures and increase pressure on the population by disrupting electricity and heating supplies. He described the campaign as “cynical and calculated terror” directed at ordinary Ukrainians.

Damage was reported in and around Kyiv, as well as in multiple regions across the country, highlighting the broad geographic scope of the attacks. Zelensky reiterated that these strikes had no legitimate military purpose and violated international humanitarian principles.

Russia, for its part, continues to maintain that its military operations target only strategic and military facilities. The Kremlin has also accused Ukraine of engaging in acts of terror, allegations that Kyiv has strongly denied. Western intelligence assessments have reportedly rejected claims that Ukraine targeted Russian leadership.

The conflict, now approaching its fourth year, remains marked by escalating rhetoric and continued suffering for civilians on both sides of the front lines.