Zelensky Warns of Imminent Russian Offensive After Ukrainian Drone Strike on Moscow

On Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is preparing a massive strike on Ukrainian territory, after a Ukrainian drone hit Moscow’s Dubna Satellite Communications Centre, injuring three civilians and killing a six-month-old infant.

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The four-year war has seen Kyiv increase cross-border drone operations; the Dubna strike was the second hit on the hub. Earlier this month Zelensky asked Putin to meet face-to-face; Putin dismissed the request as having “no point.” Russian officials cite an August Alaska summit with former President Donald Trump as the basis for a peace deal, a claim Putin later rejected, saying “nobody signed anything.”

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Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s readiness for negotiations and urged direct talks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the Dubna strike as criminal conduct that harmed civilians. Former U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the attack underscores Putin’s strategic uncertainty. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted that Putin had signed the U.S. peace proposal, a claim contradicted by Putin’s denial.

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Russian officials denounced the drone operation as a criminal act that caused civilian deaths, including the infant. International observers note the lack of independent verification of the casualty figures.

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Russia claims the August Alaska summit produced a peace agreement, yet Putin publicly said no such deal was signed. Independent confirmation of the Dubna casualty numbers is lacking.

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Zelensky’s warning signals a large-scale Russian offensive, raising the risk of broader regional conflict. Civilian harm from cross-border strikes could erode international support for side and complicate ceasefire talks amid disputed diplomatic narratives.

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• “That is exactly the threat we are facing tonight. Russia’s head is completely refusing to end the war.” — Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine

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• “see any point for now.” — Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

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• “We would like once again to bring the international community’s attention to this criminal conduct of the Kyiv regime,” — Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesperson

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• “I just think that it’s clear right now that Putin is cornered in this situation and is not quite sure what to do,” — Leon Panetta, Former U.S. Secretary of Defense

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Zelensky continues to press for direct talks and a ceasefire, while Russia’s stance on a peace deal remains contradictory. Diplomatic channels may intensify scrutiny of the peace proposal and the humanitarian fallout from cross-border strikes.

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