Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed creating a buffer zone on Russian territory to better protect Kharkiv from artillery fire, according to TSN.
The president was responding to questions about how to protect large Ukrainian cities from Russian attacks, particularly Kharkiv, which has faced sustained shelling due to its proximity to the border.
Zelenskyy: troops must push zone deep enough to protect the city
Speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy said the buffer zone should be established on the Russian side of the border in the direction of Kharkiv Oblast.
“Ukrainian troops must do everything so that the buffer zone between Russia and Ukraine in the direction of Kharkiv Oblast is on the Russian side. If such a buffer zone exists, no artillery will be able to reach. One problem, at least a difficult problem, will become smaller,” Zelenskyy said, as quoted by TSN.
Air defenses and underground shelters not enough on their own
Zelenskyy said there is no single solution to protecting cities and described the need for layered defenses.
He noted that it is impossible to place all infrastructure underground - an idea which has been explored in recent months during increased attacks - though critical systems such as energy and water supply should be protected where feasible.
He added that air defense systems remain essential to protect civilians and strategic facilities, but acknowledged that Ukraine does not have enough of them to fully shield all targets.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, lies roughly 30 kilometers from the Russian border and has been repeatedly targeted by artillery, drones, and missiles since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
