Russia launched a massive barrage consisting of 1,300 drones, 1,050 guided aerial bombs and 29 missiles of various types on Ukraine over the past week amid increases strikes on the country’s energy infrastructure, Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday.
The Ukrainian leader said Kyiv needs stronger air defenses, particularly additional interceptor missiles due to the scale of Russian attacks, while also accusing Moscow of deliberately dragging out diplomacy to end the nearly four-year-war. He urged the international community to put pressure on Moscow.
Zelenskiky’s remarks came as Ukraine is battling energy and heat shortages due to relentless attacks on the country’s energy grid. The attacks that have increased in intensity and growingly involve more sophisticated and destructive weapons have plunged the country into energy crisis as the temperatures have dropped to as low as -20 degrees, with forecasters predicting extremely cold weather for the coming fortnight.
Last week, Zelenskiy declared an emergency situation due to the immense damage to the country’s electricity grid following Russian drone and missile attacks. Zelenskiy said the country was dealing with its coldest and darkest winter of the war yet. In his words, Ukraine's energy system was able to meet only 60% of electricity needs due to Russian attacks and cold weather. Zelenskiy on January 14, appointed Minister Denis Shmyhal as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy on second attempt in an effort to solve the country’s energy crisis. Capital Kyiv and Kharkiv are the main points of focus in the government’s efforts to restore energy and heating.
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