NEW DELHI: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has warned that Russia is preparing a new large-scale attack on Ukraine, as Kyiv seeks additional air-defence capabilities from its international partners amid continued missile and drone strikes.

Zelenskiy made the remarks on September 22 while attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In a post on Telegram following his meeting with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, he said Ukrainian authorities were receiving intelligence indicating that Russia was preparing another “massive attack”. He added that Ukraine remained in constant communication with its allies over securing additional air-defence systems.

The warning comes as Russian forces have continued to conduct large-scale aerial attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. According to Reuters, Russia has changed its tactics in recent weeks, with attacks involving drones and missiles being launched at different times during the day rather than being concentrated mainly in overnight barrages.

Ukraine's air-defence forces are also facing challenges from Russia's increasing use of jet-powered drones. Reuters reported that these drones can operate at significantly higher altitudes than earlier versions, making them more difficult for some mobile air-defence units to intercept. Ukrainian officials said Russia launched about 2,100 jet-powered attack drones and 136 missiles during the first three weeks of September, although those figures are Ukrainian government estimates.

The developments come amid renewed diplomatic efforts to reduce the intensity of the conflict. Zelenskiy has discussed with US President Donald Trump the possibility of an agreement to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. Kyiv has said it would be prepared to stop strikes on Russian energy facilities if Moscow similarly halted attacks on Ukraine's energy system.

Zelenskiy has also argued that sanctions against Russia should not be eased while Ukraine continues to face missile and drone attacks. His latest warning about a possible new assault comes as Ukraine prepares for the winter period and seeks additional air-defence support to protect critical infrastructure and civilian areas.

The latest developments highlight the continuing tension between military escalation and diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement in the Russia-Ukraine war.