Zelensky: Russia Will Understand What Retaliation Means
President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that a “retaliatory strike will come sooner or later” against any target on Russian territory that threatens Ukraine.
In a video commemorating Ukraine’s 33rd Independence Day, recorded in the village of Mohrytsya in Sumy province, just a few kilometers from Russia’s Kursk province, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s resolve to defend its independence. He stated that Ukraine is “bringing the war back to where it originated” by launching attacks on Russian territory.
“Ukrainians have always known how to retaliate. Anyone who wishes to sow suffering on our land will reap suffering themselves, with interest. Those who bring calamity to our land will face consequences on their own territory,” Zelensky proclaimed.
His remarks came amid Ukraine’s recent large-scale campaign against Russia’s Kursk province, where they have escalated drone and missile strikes on deep Russian targets.
“The adversary will understand what Ukrainian retaliation means: it will be appropriate, proportionate, and executed from long range. Ukrainian retaliation will eventually strike any location on Russian territory that poses a threat to our nation’s existence,” Zelensky warned, mentioning Russian airbases such as Savasleika, Olenya, and Engels.
On August 6, the Ukrainian military launched a surprise attack on Kursk, claiming control of dozens of villages in what has been described as the largest cross-border operation into Russia since World War II.
Russia labeled Ukraine’s actions in Kursk as a “major provocation” and vowed to “respond appropriately.” Experts believe that Kyiv’s strategy is to disperse Russian forces on the eastern front, thereby easing pressure on Ukrainian troops.
President Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine’s campaign in Kursk is “not blind revenge but the pursuit of justice,” demonstrating that Ukraine cannot be destroyed. He argued that the operation proves that the red lines mentioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot dictate Ukraine’s actions.
“Only Ukraine and its people have the right to decide their way of life, their future, and their choices. This is the essence of independence,” Zelensky said. “Those who once wanted to turn this land into a buffer zone should now consider how to prevent their own country from becoming a buffer zone.”
