Zelensky says Russia preparing ‘new massive attacks’

Ukrainian intelligence reports suggest that Russia is preparing a fresh wave of “massive attacks” on the country, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday, as Ukraine is struggling to keep its energy grid running amid freezing winter weather.

“We are speaking frankly to our partners – both about air defence missiles and the systems we need so much,” Zelensky said during his daily evening address, adding: “Supplies are insufficient.”

He called on the country’s allies to speed up deliveries, as Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been increasingly exposed to Russian airstrikes.

With temperatures dropping as low as -20 degrees Celsius at night, systematic Russian attacks have caused widespread power and heating outages across the country.

The situation is particularly severe in Kiev, where authorities have implemented emergency power cuts in the past days.