Zelenskyy says no threat from reported Russian buffer zone plan in Vinnytsia Oblast

According to him, Russian occupying forces want to establish a so-called buffer zone along the entire border of Ukraine with Russia and Belarus, including Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts, as well as southern Ukraine.

“There is nothing new here. As for Transnistria, honestly, I do not see a threat there at this time,” Zelenskyy said.

He added that the threat exists where concentrations of Russian troops are observed.

“Today we see concentrations in other directions — in the south, in the Zaporizhzhia direction. Their main objective remains unchanged — the Pokrovsk direction,” Zelenskyy said.

On April 8, Deputy Head of the President’s Office Pavlo Palisa said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine that Russian occupying forces are planning to create a buffer zone in Vinnytsia Oblast from the side of the unrecognized Transnistria.

“This is the first time we have recorded plans of this kind. Frankly, there is no need to panic, because at this point I do not see them having the forces to implement all these intentions,” Palisa said.

Zelenskyy later said that Moscow will not stop if it gains full control over Donbas and will attempt to capture Dnipro and Kharkiv.