Armed Conflict — 2026-05-30

Zelensky Warns Russia Preparing New Large-Scale Attack on Ukraine Based on Intelligence Data

BLUFConverging diplomatic warnings, foreign departure advisories, and staged strike platforms make a mass Russian strategic attack on Ukraine very likely within the next week.

Zelensky stated on May 29 via Telegram that Ukrainian intelligence has information Russia is preparing a new large-scale attack 123. He called on partners to accelerate air defense deliveries, naming anti-ballistic defense "the key task," and to impose additional sanctions on Russia 12. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov had told U.S. Secretary of State Rubio on May 25 that Russia planned to strike Ukrainian decision-making centers; Russia's Foreign Ministry extended a departure advisory to all foreigners and diplomats, which no embassy heeded 2. Pravda Ukraine, citing enemy monitoring channels, reported Russia was staging strategic aviation, Iskander and Bastion missile systems, and sea-based carriers for a combined strike that night 4.

Analysis
Three observable indicators converge: Lavrov's explicit warning to Rubio on May 25, Russia's departure advisory for foreign nationals, and enemy-channel reporting of staged strategic aviation, Iskander, and Bastion systems. Russia will very likely conduct a mass strategic strike within seven days of May 29. Moderate confidence reflects that all three indicators trace to Ukrainian official or open channels without independent corroboration, Zelensky's Telegram the sole primary. The May 24 strike followed a comparable signaling sequence. The departure advisory and Lavrov's threat may instead represent coercive pressure to freeze Western arms transfers rather than operational readiness signals. Ukraine's interceptor shortage constrains the defensive posture regardless. Partners who delay accelerating anti-ballistic missile deliveries carry the harder consequence if the strike materializes; Washington faces less pressure to respond to Zelensky's air defense request if it does not.

6 sources

Zelenskyy: Russia is preparing for new large-scale attack on Ukraine - Ukrainska Pravda
Russia preparing new large-scale attack, Zelensky says - Kyiv Independent
Zelenskiy says Russia is preparing major new attack on Ukraine - WKZO (AP Wire)
Zelensky: There is information from intelligence about Russia's preparations for a new massive strike on Ukraine - Pravda Ukraine
Zelensky warns that Russia is preparing a new 'massive attack' on Ukraine - Meduza
Zelensky Telegram post: Russia preparing new massive attack on Ukraine - Volodymyr Zelensky (Official Telegram)