Zelensky: Russia seeks to force Ukrainians out of Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia is intensifying attacks on civilian targets in Kyiv to force residents to leave the capital, a goal he says Moscow has pursued since the start of the full-scale invasion. Zelensky made the remarks at a Kyiv school hit by a strike on October 1, adding that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will escalate the conflict further, particularly as the US midterm elections approach on November 3. He noted that Russia aims to paralyze the city and disrupt daily life, though he insisted Ukraine is stronger than its capital. Drone attacks on Kyiv have increased over the past month, with air alerts lasting most of the day.