Ukrainian President Zelensky said in his video message that after nearly four years of war, the situation in Ukraine is becoming increasingly tense, both on the front lines and inside the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is predicting new massive attacks from Russia. In his video message, he referred to intelligence information and urged the Ukrainian population to take the warnings seriously.
Ukraine was again the target of Russian bombing, which has killed and injured many in several Regions. Zelensky said in his daily video message that in addition to ballistic missiles, military drones and medium-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons are also being used.
The use of these missiles was also the cause of an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council during which the US criticized Russian attacks on Ukraine and called the use of a medium-range missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons a “dangerous escalation.”
EXTRAORDINARY CHALLENGES: BAD WEATHER, ELECTRICITY, HEATING
Ukraine’s power grid has been severely damaged by the systematic attacks that Russia has recently intensified. Power outages are common. Ukrainians have to survive for hours every day without electricity and heating.
Hundreds of thousands of families in the Kiev suburbs are without electricity or heating due to the bombing of power plants. There were also attacks in Odessa and Kharkiv. Zelensky said electricians have been working for weeks to keep the power grid running. “The weather is also an additional challenge, an extraordinary challenge,” Zelensky said, referring to the sub-zero temperatures.
PROBLEMS AT THE FRONT
Zelensky acknowledged that there are problems at the front as well: “Now it’s difficult everywhere, but the biggest difficulties are at the front,” he said. Russia is continuing its offensive despite the frost.
More and more young Ukrainians are also fleeing military service, which is a major problem for the army. However, according to Zelensky, the defense is at least still holding strong. Ukraine recently had to abandon other positions in the east and south of the country after months of defense. (DW)