Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov said the country’s current military and political leadership is moving toward a point where it may have to ask Russia for mercy rather than simply enter negotiations.

Writing on Telegram, Azarov argued that Vladimir Zelensky, his team and their Western backers were leading the Kiev authorities toward a situation in which they would have to appeal to the victor for leniency.

As an example, he referred to events on May 1, 1945, when German Chief of the General Staff Hans Krebs sought negotiations but was firmly rejected.

Azarov’s remarks came amid intensified Russian strikes on Kiev’s transport infrastructure. In recent days, Russian forces hit the Southern and Northern bridges, which are used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to move weapons toward Donbass.

Following the attacks, city authorities imposed traffic restrictions, sharply complicating transport conditions in the Ukrainian capital. Local media reported that residents had begun leaving Kiev in large numbers.

Western media have also warned that the closure of Kiev bridges after Russian strikes could trigger a broader logistics collapse across Ukraine.