Ukraine Faces Tough Winter as Russian Strikes Cripple Power Plants, Kill Civilians

Ukraine faces a grim winter with "virtually no intact thermal power plants" operational, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Saturday, as recent Russian strikes claimed four lives, including a child, in the Kyiv region. The intensified overnight attacks and shelling of frontline communities have resulted in 13 civilian deaths within the last 24 hours, according to the Ukrainian leader.

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Russian missiles are aimed precisely at making the lives of Ukrainians unbearable.

Speaking during his first official visit to Belgrade, Zelenskyy stated that Moscow's missiles are deliberately targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure to make life unbearable for its citizens. He highlighted the critical importance of thermal power plants, which complement the country's nuclear energy supply, as Ukraine braces for the upcoming heating season.

Zelenskyy reiterated his call for stricter international sanctions against Russia, emphasizing the need to halt the flow of missile components from "almost every continent, including from our close partners." He lamented that these components are used to produce missiles that kill civilians and soldiers. The President also stressed Ukraine's urgent need for more advanced air defense systems, such as U.S.-made Patriot interceptors, to counter the increasing number of hard-to-intercept ballistic missiles being fired by Russia.

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Ukraine was left with "virtually no intact thermal power plants" as it braced for the upcoming heating season.

During his meeting with Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vučić, Zelenskyy discussed the ongoing war. Serbia, a traditional ally of Russia, is one of the few European nations not to have imposed sanctions. Vučić affirmed that while military cooperation was not discussed, his government's policy of supplying non-military aid to Ukraine remains unchanged. He also denied Kremlin accusations that Serbian firms have been selling munitions to Ukraine.

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These components arrive, and then missiles strike people, killing children, civilians and soldiers.