Zelensky warns Russian officials to seek bomb shelters as war persists

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Russian officials to find the nearest bomb shelters if they refuse to end the war, telling Axios that they “have to know where the bomb shelters are. They need it. If they will not stop the war, they will need it in any case.” The remarks, delivered as Zelensky spent time in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, underscored his insistence that Kyiv could respond to any renewed Russian aggression while avoiding harm to civilians.

Zelensky also asserted that Ukraine would target Kremlin officials rather than Russian civilians, insisting, “we are not terrorists.” The comments, part of an Axios interview, followed a flurry of diplomacy and public statements in the wake of Ukraine’s ongoing confrontation with Moscow. The Ukrainian leader spoke after meeting with former U.S. president Donald Trump in New York, a meeting that appeared to influence a broader, more aggressive posture in Kyiv’s public messaging.

They have to know that we in Ukraine, each day, we will answer. If they attack us, we will answer them.” Zelensky reiterated the core distinction that guided Kyiv’s strategy: Russia would be the target of retaliation, not ordinary Russian citizens, a line he said he would not cross. The Axios interview occurred as Zelensky sought additional security assurances and weapons from Western partners, signaling Kyiv’s intent to prolong the conflict only if Moscow fails to halt its aggression.

Russia’s response to Zelensky’s warnings came quickly. Dmitry Medvedev, who serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, posted a counterpoint on X warning that “Russia could use weapons that a bomb shelter wouldn’t protect against. And the Americans should remember this.” The remark added a chilling counterweight to Kyiv’s rhetoric about restraint toward civilians and highlighted the deteriorating rhetoric between the two countries as the war grinds on.

The Ukrainian president also pressed for greater long-range capacity from the United States. Zelensky said Kyiv sought new long-range weapons, arguing that such systems would provide a strategic advantage in deterring Moscow and could subtly increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin to sit at the negotiating table. “We need it, but it doesn’t mean that we will use it,” he said, suggesting that the mere possession of capable weapons could serve as leverage in diplomacy. He framed any potential deployment as a deterrent designed to press Moscow toward dialogue rather than an imminent plan to strike civilians.

Zelensky’s comments come as Washington and its allies weigh how best to respond to Russia’s ongoing campaign against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian targets. He said Kyiv would consider energy-targeting options if Moscow escalates, noting that Trump had indicated support for such measures as a form of escalation—but that any use would be carefully calibrated to avoid indiscriminate harm. “If they attack our energy, President Trump supports that we can answer on energy,” Zelensky stated, framing the issue as a strategic reminder that Western support hinges on Kyiv’s ability to defend itself while keeping civilians protected.

The public exchange unfolded against the backdrop of a broader political conversation about Ukraine’s prospects and Western support. Zelensky’s appearance in New York, coupled with his discussions with Trump, highlighted a moment in which Kyiv sought to leverage domestic political shifts in Washington to secure more robust military and economic backing. Zelensky’s remarks also coincided with continued battlefield activity and reports of ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian towns and infrastructure, underscoring the persistent volatility of the conflict.

In Moscow, the reaction to Zelensky’s bomb-shelter message and his broader push for Western arms was swift. Medvedev’s post signaled a harsher tenor from Russia’s leadership toward Western aid and the possibility of escalating military capabilities on Russia’s side. The exchange illustrates the widening gap between Kyiv’s defensive posture and Moscow’s persistence in pursuing escalation options that could alter the strategic balance.

As the UN General Assembly addressed multiple global security concerns, Zelensky’s warnings reflected Kyiv’s intent to maintain pressure on Moscow while appealing to Western partners for longer-range capabilities. The war—now entering a multi-year phase—continues to hinge on the balance of military momentum, international diplomacy, and the willingness of Western allies to provide hardening deterrence against Russian aggression. While Zelensky framed his remarks as a clear signal to Russian officials, the underlying message was equally a call for continued international support to deter further escalation and to sustain Ukraine’s defensive posture amid an ongoing crisis.