Zelensky: Russia Has 'Bestial Desire' to Escalate, Ukraine Will Respond

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he is surprised by Russia's "bestial desire" to escalate the conflict every day, speaking at a joint media briefing with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv on Sunday.

"Escalation is coming from the Russians. I'm not surprised by this hatred toward Ukraine from Russia, but I am surprised by this particular approach. They hit our warehouses — Nova Poshta, Ukrposhta. We gave them a worthy response by hitting Wildberries. Now they're hitting bridges. Do they think we won't respond? They hit data centers. All of this affects people. This is clearly not military infrastructure. How can you hit data centers, mobile communications? Putin uses mobile communications in Moscow too," Zelensky said.

He emphasized that he is "surprised by this bestial desire to escalate every day" and called this Russia's strategic calculation. "He thinks there will be constant escalation. He wants this very much. This is the answer to all those who believe you just need to ask Putin — and he will definitely end the war. It won't simply happen," the president stated.

Earlier Sunday, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed it was striking Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities "in response" to Ukrainian actions, threatening to intensify strikes on "military and military-industrial facilities" in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions.