Russia 'preparing new military operations in Europe', Zelensky warns

President Volodymyr Zelenskyhas claimed Ukraine has intelligence that Vladimir Putin’s Russiais preparing military operations in Europe. Mr Zelensky made the comments following a report from Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine’s military intelligence, and said the “Russian leadership” is “preparing new military operations on European territory”.

The Ukrainian president said Ukraine is “preparing joint decisions for defence, in particular with the United Kingdom and the European Union” and that allies would be informed. He did not reveal further details contained in the report or expand on what “evidence” was included.

Details of planned operations by Russia, when they are expected or countries that could be targeted were not shared by Zelensky. In is comments made on the social media app X, he also said Ukraine is "observing a continued intellectual decline within the Russian leadership".

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Mr Zelensky also praised economic sanctions on Russia, saying they were causing "tangible damage". This week, Putin received a stark warning from Russian economy minister Maxim Reshetnikov, who said Russia’s economy is "on the verge" of transitioning to a recession. Putin, in a speech at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, mentioned the recession warnings but emphasised that “it mustn’t be allowed”.

Ukraine has previously warned of the potential for Russian aggression beyond Ukraine, with the chief of Ukraine’s foreign intelligence, the SZRU, suggesting in May that Russia would be able to rearm between two to four years after the war in Ukraine ends.

Similar comments came from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the beginning of June. Speaking at Chatham House, Mr Rutte said that “danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends,” The Guardian reported.

The Mirror has approached the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) for comment. Following the publication of the strategic defence review (SDR) this month, defence secretary John Healey said plans to boost the UK’s military muscle is a “message to Moscow”.

The Government has pledged £1.5 billion to set up at least six factories, and will support the procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons in response to the strategic defence review (SDR) to be published on Monday. The new funding will see UK munitions spend hit £6 billion during this parliament and support around 1,800 jobs throughout the country.

Sir Keir Starmer has called the review a “radical blueprint” and pledged a “wave of investments” in shipbuilding, drone technology and cyber defences. A cyber command to counter cyber attacks from state-linked sources is being set up as part of the review.

The PM has committed to spend 2.5 percent of gross domestic product on defence from April 2027, with a goal of increasing that to three percent over the next parliament – a timetable which could stretch to 2034. At the same time, Mr Rutte is pushing NATO members to reach five percent of GDP although he has given no deadline for the target.

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick welcomed the Government’s pledge to increase defence spending but said he was “sceptical” as to whether the Chancellor would make good on the plans. Mr Jenrick said the UK should reach three percent of GDP spending on defence “within this parliament”.