Zelenskyy Claims Russia Pulling Air Defences Toward Moscow as Drone Strikes Intensify

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russia is increasingly shifting its air defence systems toward Moscow and other strategic locations as Ukrainian long range drone strikes continue to penetrate deep inside Russian territory. In his daily video address, Zelenskyy claimed that Moscow has significantly strengthened its defence network, with hundreds of missile launchers now deployed around the capital. He also said nearly ninety launchers have been moved to Valdai , a region northwest of Moscow linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin , along with enhanced protection for the Kerch Bridge , which connects mainland Russia with Crimea .

Zelenskyy said the shift reflects growing pressure from Ukraine’s expanding drone campaign, which has increasingly targeted military infrastructure and energy facilities inside Russia. He noted that Ukrainian drones, now capable of flying more than 1,500 kilometres , have recently struck areas including Moscow and St Petersburg , disrupting logistics and fuel supplies and creating operational strain on Russian forces. Ukrainian officials say these strikes are affecting supply chains and slowing military momentum in a war now in its fifth year.

He argued that Russia’s concentration of defences around select high value targets could leave other regions more exposed. Zelenskyy also linked the situation to wider diplomatic efforts, saying Ukraine continues to push for negotiations while relying on international support to strengthen its position. He referred to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump , who described him as “courageous” and acknowledged Ukraine’s battlefield performance, and said commitments discussed at the G7 summit could further boost Kyiv’s capabilities if fully delivered.

Zelenskyy also raised concerns about Belarus , saying Ukraine is closely monitoring its northern neighbour after alleged involvement in supporting Russian drone operations through relay infrastructure. He said some signal repeaters previously used in attacks appear to have been switched off, though risks remain along the border. Ukrainian authorities have ordered precautionary evacuations in parts of the Chernihiv region , while military leadership under Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi has strengthened northern defences, including new drone units .

Meanwhile, cross border attacks continue, with Ukraine reporting Russian strikes using drones and a ballistic missile, while Russia claimed it intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones overnight. Civilian infrastructure in regions including Sumy and Zaporizhzhia was also damaged, underscoring the continued intensity and widening scope of the conflict.