Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sounded the alarm, warning that Russia is preparing a “large-scale attack” on Ukraine in the coming days. In his nightly address, Zelensky urged the population to remain “extremely vigilant” and called on all regions to be ready to respond quickly and support the people.
Zelensky’s warning comes as Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has suffered heavily under repeated Russian airstrikes this year. Earlier this week, five different regions were left without power after a barrage of drone attacks. Kyiv last week declared an energy emergency amid increased pressure from the heavy Russian bombardment, bitter cold temperatures, and accumulated wartime damage.
In response, Ukraine is introducing a new facet of air defence to transform its system as it faces a sustained wave of nightly Russian attacks. Zelensky announced the appointment of a new deputy Air Force Commander, Pavlo Yelizarov, to oversee and develop the innovation.
“There will be a new approach to the use of air defences by the Air Force, concerning mobile fire groups, interceptor drones and other ‘short-range’ air defence assets,” Zelensky said. “The system will be transformed.”
The war-torn nation is reeling from an unusually strong period of Russian air strikes that have knocked out power and heating to thousands of apartment blocks, particularly in the capital Kyiv. Zelensky has repeatedly called for air defences to be strengthened, including increased assistance from Ukraine’s Western allies.
Elsewhere, Kyiv’s lead negotiator is hoping to make progress in peace talks with the United States at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, after delegations held talks over the weekend in Florida.
As Ukraine braces for the looming Russian assault, Zelensky’s warning underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for continued international support to defend against the Kremlin’s aggression.
