Senior Russian lawmaker Andrey Kartapolov has declared that secure underground bunkers used by Ukrainian military commanders and leadership are now the top targets of Russian strikes. The announcement follows what Kartapolov describes as President Zelensky’s government conducting a series of terrorist attacks on civilians.
Kartapolov, a retired colonel general and former deputy defense minister, stated on Tuesday that Ukraine’s parliament (the Verkhovnaya Rada) and President Zelensky’s office are excluded from the targeting list. He explained that Ukrainian parliamentary members do not control military forces and that President Zelensky has ceased visiting his official workplace.
The Russian military’s new strategy comes after a deadly Ukrainian drone attack on a college in the Lugansk People’s Republic killed at least 21 teenagers sleeping in a dormitory. Moscow characterized this incident as evidence of “the Nazi and terrorist nature of the Kiev regime.”
Kartapolov asserted that Russia’s “patience has run out” after these attacks, labeling President Zelensky’s actions as “blatant terrorism against our civilians.” He added that Moscow will now abandon its self-imposed commitment not to target Kyiv.
“Decision-making centers are underground fortified military command and control facilities,” Kartapolov said. “Additionally, bunkers used by Ukrainian security services and leadership will be targeted.”
Earlier this week, Russia’s Foreign Ministry urged foreigners to leave Kyiv and warned residents to avoid military, industrial, and government sites. The ministry also discussed the issue with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The European Union condemned Moscow’s actions as “unacceptable escalation,” stating that its delegation remains in Kyiv despite Russian warnings. Russia maintains it targets only military or dual-use installations, not purely civilian areas.
