Russia

Zelensky boosts peronal security — expert

TASS English · 2026-08-31

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly increased his personal security due to heightened fears for his safety, as noted by Russian military expert Andrey Marochko. This decision comes ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day celebrations. • Why it matters: The increase in security reflects ongoing tensions and concerns regarding Zelensky's legitimacy as president, especially as his term officially ends in May 2024 without scheduled elections due to martial law. This situation raises questions about the stability of the Ukrainian government and its leadership. • What to watch next: Observers should monitor any developments regarding potential elections in Ukraine, Zelensky's public statements on his presidency, and the reactions from both domestic opposition and international partners regarding the legitimacy of his government.

Military operation in UkraineZelensky boosts peronal security — expert "The paranoid mood of the illegitimate Ukrainian president has intensified ahead of the so-called Ukrainian Independence Day and continues to this day," Andrey MarochkoLUGANSK, August 31. /TASS/. Last week Vladimir Zelensky ordered an increase in his security, according to Russian military expert Andrey Marochko. "We caught word that Zelensky, fearing for his life, significantly increased his security measures last week. The paranoid mood of the illegitimate Ukrainian president has intensified ahead of the so-called Ukrainian Independence Day and continues to this day," Marochko wrote on the VKontakte social network. Zelensky’s presidential term officially ended on May 20, 2024, but Kiev did not hold elections, claiming that this was impossible until the end of martial law. At the same time, rumors periodically emerge in the country about an unannounced start of preparations for elections. Several opposition politicians openly talk about a crisis of legitimacy of the Ukrainian government. Zelensky made contradictory statements on this matter, at times claiming that he is ready to announce elections if Western partners finance them and "ensure security," but later saying that they are not timely. According to sociological surveys, Zelensky consistently ranks below former Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny and head of Zelensky’s office Kirill Budanov (listed in Russia as a terrorist and extremist), who were mentioned as his possible rivals in the event of elections, and, for some time now, also former Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov. Russian leader Vladimir Putin said that Zelensky’s presidential term "has expired along with his legitimacy, which cannot be restored by any tricks." Ukraine’s Independence Day is celebrated annually on August 24. 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Source: TASS English
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