Russia's 'Terror Tactics' Will Include More Mass Strikes, Zelensky Warns

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned his nation's citizens to remain alert to future airstrikes despite Russia's recent "absence" of major attacks.

The Kremlin has redirected much of its offensive to targeting civilian and energy infrastructure since Ukraine's successful string of counteroffensives on the ground, triggering widespread blackouts across the East European country while temperatures dip below zero in the onset of winter.

Despite the harsh weather conditions, Zelensky said during his address Monday that Ukrainian energy workers are restoring systems "after each Russian attack." The speech came roughly one week after Russia's last barrage in which Ukrainian forces reportedly shot down "most" of the estimated 70 missiles launched by the Kremlin.

"But we should all be aware that Russia has not given up its terror tactics," Zelensky said Monday. "The absence of massive missile strikes only means that the enemy is preparing for them and can strike at any time."

Last week's attack was the eighth Russian missile strike in eight weeks, leaving nearly 50 percent of all Ukrainian energy infrastructure damaged. Russian President Vladimir Putin promised at the start of the month that such strikes were an "unavoidable and inevitable response" for what he called "provocative attacks" against Russian infrastructure from Ukraine.

"So as long as they have missiles—and Russia still has them—please take seriously all warnings from the Ukrainian military command, from our air force and air alarms," Zelensky said Monday. "At all levels, we must be prepared for any hostile intentions. And we will do everything to get through this winter."

The British Ministry of Defense (MoD) reported Saturday that Russia had likely used up a large number of its own short-range ballistic missiles. The ministry also assessed in late November that Putin likely exhausted his stockpile of Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles.

The MoD, however, added in its weekend report that Russia was also likely partnering with Iran to obtain additional missiles, and would most likely use the increased power "to continue and expand its campaign of strikes against Ukraine's critical national infrastructure."

Zelensky has continued to bolster his military with the help of Western allies, including meeting with the G7 leaders summit on Monday to urge countries "to continue to help Ukraine in 2023 as they did this year," he said in his address.

On Friday, the United States announced an additional $275 million security assistance package for Ukraine, which will include air defense and "critical battlefield requirements for as long as it takes," according to a release Monday from the U.S. Department of Defense.

"Russia continues to employ missile and drone strikes against Ukraine's energy grid and civilian infrastructure, inflicting significant damage and killing innocent civilians as part of Russia's illegal invasion and brutal occupation," a senior U.S. military official said in the release.

Newsweek has reached out to Russia's defense ministry for comment.