‘If Ukraine Burns, Moscow Will Burn’: Zelensky Links Moscow Strike to Lavra Attack

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called Kyiv’s latest large-scale drone strike on Moscow a justified response to Russian attacks, warning that Moscow could face more consequences if the Kremlin refuses to end the war.

In an audio message sent to journalists following the attack, Zelensky said Ukraine had repeatedly warned that Moscow’s layered air defenses would not shield the Russian capital from Ukrainian long-range strikes.

“You can see that despite the three rings of air defense around Moscow, we said we would reach them,” Zelensky said.

On Thursday, Ukrainian drones struck the Moscow Oil Refinery for the second time in a week, causing multiple fires at a facility that supplies up to 40% of Moscow’s fuel.

Russian officials said 137 drones were intercepted during the three-hour attack, though several reached key targets. The raid also triggered fires at shopping centers and coincided with strikes in Russia’s Rostov region, where an oil depot was reportedly burning.

The Ukrainian leader linked the strike to Russia’s recent attack on Kyiv, including damage to the UNESCO-listed Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

“They struck the Lavra,” Zelensky said. “I said openly that we would prepare a response and that you would see it. I think you are seeing it now.”

Russia’s drone strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on Monday damaged the UNESCO World Heritage site, setting the roof of the historic Dormition Cathedral ablaze.

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Navy Denies Reports of Sea Drone Attack on Odesa

Ukraine’s Navy on Thursday dismissed reports of a sea drone attack on Odesa, saying it was conducting routine training exercises. The drills were part of ongoing efforts to prepare for potential maritime drone threats following repeated Russian strikes on civilian vessels in Black Sea ports.

The attack occurred during Russia’s mass overnight assault on Kyiv on June 15, when drones damaged five heritage sites and nearly caused catastrophic destruction to one of Ukraine’s most important cultural landmarks.

Zelensky framed the operation as part of a broader strategy to convince Russia that continuing the war entails growing costs.

“We never wanted this war and we do not want Ukraine to burn because of the enemy,” he said. “But if Ukraine burns, then Moscow will burn too.”

“The main thing is for the people of Russia to begin to feel that one man, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, is waging this war, while ordinary people are paying the price for it,” Zelensky said.

The remarks came as Ukraine prepared to attend a new meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, commonly known as the Ramstein format, in July, where air defense remains Kyiv’s top priority.

Zelensky said between 9 and 11 countries were expected to support new defense initiatives, including additional air defense systems, Patriot batteries and anti-ballistic missiles.

He also signaled progress on Ukraine’s proposal to develop a European anti-ballistic missile defense architecture, saying German representatives and Ukrainian officials were expected to discuss initial steps toward the project during meetings on Thursday.