Because the Ukraine–Russia conflict marked 4 years on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the “base” from which he directed his nation’s preliminary response to the army offensive launched by the Kremlin.To mark the fourth anniversary of the battle, Zelenskyy shared a video message to the nation on his X deal with. The practically 19-minute deal with was filmed contained in the bunker advanced, providing probably the most detailed glimpse but of the ability beneath the centre of the capital, Kyiv.
Vladimir Putin, in line with Zelenskyy, failed to realize his objectives and couldn’t break the individuals of Ukraine.“This workplace – this small room within the bunker on Bankova Avenue – that is the place I held my first conversations with world leaders at first of the conflict,” he mentioned within the nationwide message.The Ukrainian chief additionally recalled a warning from then-US President Joe Biden, who had urged him to go away Ukraine “urgently” and even provided help to evacuate him.“Right here I spoke with President Joe Biden, and it was proper right here that I heard: ‘Volodymyr, there’s a risk. It’s worthwhile to go away Ukraine urgently. We’re prepared to assist with that,’” Zelenskyy recalled, seated on a black leather-based chair in a cramped, white-walled room.“And right here I replied that I would like ammunition, not a experience,” he added.He was referring to remarks the Ukrainian embassy in Britain attributed to him on February 26, 2022 — two days after the battle started.“The struggle is right here; I would like ammunition, not a experience,” Zelenskyy instructed Biden, in line with the embassy.The bunker proven within the video seemed to be an expansive Soviet-era bomb shelter, designed to maintain the Ukrainian authorities within the occasion of a large assault on Kyiv.The footage revealed small rooms allotted to totally different branches of presidency — the presidency, the cupboard of ministers, and parliament. Every contained round a dozen chairs, a tv display and Ukrainian flags.Rows of black cables ran alongside the partitions, whereas massive fuel pipes and electrical containers had been fastened to the ceilings. Blue-and-yellow indicators — the colors of the Ukrainian flag — directed individuals to numerous rooms throughout the maze-like tunnels.Vibrant posters dotted the partitions, paying tribute to Ukraine’s conflict effort and its troopers — the one splash of color amid luminous inexperienced emergency exit indicators and red-and-white security tape lining the low ceilings.The deal with, posted early Tuesday, sought to rally Ukrainians by recalling the spirit of resistance that outlined the nation when Russia first launched what it calls a “particular army operation.”After years of grinding conflict and heavy losses, Kyiv is now underneath stress from US President Donald Trump, who succeeded Biden within the White Home in January 2025, to simply accept a peace deal that may contain ceding territory to Russia. Struggle fatigue, compounded by relentless missile and drone assaults from Moscow’s forces, can be working excessive.
