Russia has issued a sharp response to Ukrainian President Zelensky’s recent warning that Moscow’s top officials should know the locations of their bomb shelters if the invasion continues. Speaking in an interview, Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine would not target civilians, stressing that “we are not terrorists,” but hinted at the possibility of using advanced long-range weapons if supplied by the United States.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed Zelensky’s remarks as “irresponsible” and accused him of making desperate threats amid the prolonged war. The exchange comes at a time when Russia recently launched its first strike on a Ukrainian government complex in over three years of conflict, further intensifying the situation.

Zelensky also responded to international criticism, including from former U.S. President Donald Trump, regarding the suspension of elections in Ukraine during wartime. He emphasized that his priority remains “to finish the war,” not to extend his political power.

The ongoing back-and-forth highlights the escalating rhetoric between Kyiv and Moscow, the continued dependence on Western military aid, and the growing uncertainty about how the war could evolve if more powerful weapons are deployed.