Zelenskyy warns Russia to escalate to force Kyiv evacuation before US midterms

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy claims Russia intends to escalate the conflict to force Ukrainians to leave Kyiv, timed to the approaching U.S. midterm elections. The claim is unverified and reflects Ukrainian intelligence assessments; the specific military intent and timing remain uncertain. This signals potential intensification of hostilities around the capital, with implications for civilian displacement and Western political dynamics.