Kremlin leaders haven't abandoned plans to strike 'decision-making centers' in Kyiv - ISW

Russia, the aggressor nation, has not abandoned its plans to strike so-called decision-making centers in Kyiv, as evidenced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s report on May 15.

This is reported by analysts at the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Following a meeting with the heads of the General Staff, the Defense Intelligence, and the Security Service of Ukraine, Zelenskyy warned that moscow is conducting reconnaissance of the locations of “decision-making centers” in Kyiv and its environs with the aim of possible future strikes.

Ukrainian intelligence has obtained russian documents outlining strike plans and a list of approximately 20 political and military sites frequently visited by high-ranking Ukrainian officials. The documents contain images of underground bunkers, buildings of the Office of the President, and the presidential residence.

According to Ukrainian authorities, russia has been developing these plans for some time, but has intensified its intelligence efforts since the start of the war in Iran, likely to take advantage of Ukraine’s shortage of Patriot missiles, the ISW suggests.

Analysts noted that the kremlin had threatened to strike “decision-making centers” in Kyiv if the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked moscow on May 9. Zelenskyy’s report indicates that “Moscow has not abandoned its plans for such strikes in the future,” even after the May 9–11 ceasefire ended, according to the ISW.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on May 15, Zelenskyy warned of possible new massive missile and drone strikes by russia. He stated that Ukraine had taken note of intelligence reports regarding russia’s plans to strike “decision-making centers,” but assured that, unlike russia, Ukraine’s source of defense is not the head of state, but the Ukrainian people’s readiness to fight for their independence and sovereignty.

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