Axios: Zelenskyy urges Kremlin officials to “know where the bomb shelter is”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told The Axios Show that he has received U.S. President Donald Trump’s explicit backing to strike Russian targets such as energy infrastructure and arms factories, and warned that Kremlin officials “have to know where the bomb shelters are” if Russia does not end the war.

On the prospect of striking Russian infrastructure, Zelenskyy drew a clear distinction between military and civilian targets, saying Ukraine would not bomb civilians because “we are not terrorists,” Caliber.Az reports.

He added, however, that strategic centers of Russian power were on the table and warned Kremlin officials directly.

"They have to know where the bomb shelters are," Zelenskyy said of Kremlin officials. "They need it. If they will not stop the war, they will need it in any case."

Speaking on the night of September 24 in Manhattan, immediately before departing the UN General Assembly for Kyiv, Zelenskyy said Ukraine would use additional long‑range weaponry from the United States if it is provided. 

He also said he made a specific request for a new weapons system when he met with Trump on September 23, and that Trump replied: “We will work on it.”

Zelenskyy said he would name the system only off camera, and stressed its diplomatic purpose.

“We need it, but it doesn't mean that we will use it,” he told Axios. “Because if we'll have it, I think it's additional pressure on Putin to sit and speak.”

He also said Ukraine would continue to respond to Russian attacks: "They have to know that we in Ukraine, each day, we will answer. If they attack us, we will answer them."

Recalling his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy said the U.S. president had argued Ukraine should respond in kind to Russian strikes. 

“If they attack our energy, President Trump supports that we can answer on energy,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Trump likewise mentioned drone factories or missile sites as legitimate targets. 

He noted that while some such sites are well defended, Ukraine already possesses drones capable of striking deep inside Russia. 

"President Trump knows, I [told] him yesterday what we need, one thing," Zelenskyy said.

By Sabina Mammadli