Ukraine Warns of Difficult Winter as Russian Strikes Kill Four in Kyiv Region

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine faces a difficult winter after Russian missile and drone strikes severely damaged the country’s energy infrastructure and killed four people, including a three-year-old child, in the Kyiv region.

Speaking during his first official visit to Serbia, Zelensky said Ukraine had been left with “virtually no intact thermal power plants” ahead of the coming heating season. He said the loss of thermal power capacity could place additional pressure on the country’s electricity system, which also relies heavily on nuclear power.

Zelensky said Russian attacks on Ukraine’s capital and frontline communities had killed 13 people over a 24-hour period.

“Russian missiles are aimed precisely at making the lives of Ukrainians unbearable,” he said, accusing Moscow of deliberately targeting critical energy infrastructure and civilian areas.

Ukraine has repeatedly appealed to its Western allies for additional air-defence systems, particularly US-made Patriot interceptors, as Russia intensifies its use of long-range ballistic missiles and drones.

Kyiv has also stepped up its own long-range drone attacks against targets inside Russia.

Zelensky Calls for Tougher Sanctions

During his meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Zelensky renewed his call for tougher international sanctions to prevent Russia from obtaining components used to manufacture missiles.

He said such components were reaching Russia from different parts of the world, including countries considered close partners of Ukraine.

Serbia has maintained close ties with Russia and remains one of the few European countries that has not imposed sanctions on Moscow. However, Belgrade has provided humanitarian and non-military assistance to Ukraine.

Vucic said Serbia’s policy had not changed and stressed that no military cooperation with Ukraine had been discussed.

He also reaffirmed Serbia’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Child Among Those Killed

The latest Russian barrage targeted Kyiv and surrounding areas, with Ukrainian authorities reporting missile and drone attacks overnight.

Zelensky said a three-year-old boy was among those killed when a strike hit a village outside Kyiv.

The child’s parents, his 15-year-old brother and a neighbour who attempted to help the family were also injured and taken to hospital.

The latest attacks come as both Russia and Ukraine continue to increase their use of long-range weapons, raising concerns over further civilian casualties and the security of Ukraine’s energy supply ahead of winter.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share