ZEL: WE’LL FIGHT VLAD LAND GRAB
Violence & nuke fear
FEARS of an escalation in violence in Ukraine grew last night as Kyiv vowed a “harsh response” to the illegal annexing of four regions.
President Volodymyr Zelensky issued the warning as he slammed referendums, held at gunpoint by Russian troops, as “worthless”.
It came as Ukrainian intelligence graded the threat of Moscow launching tactical nuclear weapons as “very high”.
The move followed sham votes in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk, which will be claimed by Vladimir Putin in a ceremony today.
A statement by Zelensky’s office said: “The territorial integrity of Ukraine will be restored. And our reaction to recognition of the results by Russia will be very harsh.”
As Ukraine prepares to increase its attacks, Putin is suspected of preparing a strategic offensive, possibly nuclear.
A member of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said: “Strikes will likely target places along the front lines where lots of personnel and equipment are deployed, key command centres and critical infrastructure.
“In order to stop them we need not just more anti-aircraft systems but anti-rocket systems.”
Moscow’s commanders met Putin yesterday for talks on how to fight back against the counter-offensive. Several new strike forces are gathering in the Russian towns of Belgorod and Rostov to prepare for a push against Ukraine.
Putin is keen to lock down his territorial claims so he can say that Ukraine’s counter-offensive will now be attacks against Russian territory.
He is desperate to reverse Ukraine’s major successes that have led to the deaths of up to 60,000 Russian troops.
The US and EU will impose fresh sanctions over the land grabs and even Russia’s allies Serbia and Kazakhstan will not recognise the annexations.
The signing ceremony in the Kremlin will be joined by pro-Russian figures viewed as leaders of the four Ukrainian regions.
Putin will deliver a speech and a rock concert will be held.
Experts believe Kyiv is set to deliver another major victory in Lyman, Russia’s main bastion in Donetsk. It comes as Zelensky took part in a commemoration ceremony yesterday at Babyn Yar, near Kyiv, where Nazis killed 30,000 Jews in 1941. Meanwhile, the US is planning a £1billion arms haul for Kyiv, including 18 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers. Sweden has found a new leak in a pipeline carrying Russian gas to the EU – the fourth this week.