As the bitter winter persists in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed that the country’s air defence systems are “insufficient,” with several systems left “without missiles” until Friday morning. In a stark admission, Zelenskyy called on Ukraine’s allies to provide “rapid deliveries” of available missiles, as the nation faces a relentless barrage of Russian bombardment targeting its energy infrastructure.
The capital Kyiv has been particularly hard hit, with schools forced to shut until February due to severe energy shortages. Temperatures have plummeted as low as -19°C, leaving thousands without heating and electricity. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, warned that electricity levels have dropped to less than half of what is needed, and has eased curfews to allow residents to access emergency heating and power hubs.
Zelenskyy criticised countries that have “stockpiled” such vital air defence ammunition, stating that “if we are at war, we really need it.” He revealed that Ukraine had received a “substantial package” of missiles earlier in the day, but warned that this does not mean “that winter will end for us tomorrow” or that “the enemy will stop bombing us.”
The Ukrainian president also announced that the country’s negotiators are heading to the US for further talks on a potential ceasefire, with a focus on security guarantees and a post-war recovery package. Zelenskyy expressed hope that the proposals will be signed with the US during next week’s World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Separately, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has secured a localised ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia to allow repairs to the last remaining backup power line at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been affected by “military activity.”
As the war rages on, Ukraine’s civilian population continues to bear the brunt of the conflict, with last year being the deadliest for civilians since the 2022 invasion. With the country’s air defences stretched thin and the population facing the harsh realities of a bitter winter, the need for continued international support and solidarity has never been more crucial.
