Zelenskyy warns of more Russian missile attacks on Ukraine

UKRAINE’S President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned of new Russian missile attacks on his country, urging defence forces and citizens to be prepared to withstand a new week of strain on the power grid.

The warning on Sunday came as snow fell in Kyiv and temperatures hovered around freezing with fog forecast overnight.

City authorities said workers were close to completing the restoration of power, water and heat, but high consumption levels meant some blackouts had been imposed. Millions in and around Kyiv were coping with disruptions caused by waves of Russian air raids.

“We understand that the terrorists are planning new strikes. We know this for a fact,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. “And as long as they have missiles, they, unfortunately, will not calm down.”

Zelenskyy said the coming week could be as difficult as the previous week, when attacks on electricity infrastructure subjected Ukrainians to the most acute power cuts since Russian troops invaded in February.

“Our defence forces are getting ready. The entire country is getting ready,” he said. “We have worked out all the scenarios, including with our partners.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Moscow has said it does not target the civilian population. The Kremlin said on Thursday that Kyiv could “end the suffering” of its population by meeting Russia’s demands.

Russia annexed swathes of Ukraine’s east and south in September, and President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow’s territorial demands are non-negotiable. After the annexation, Zelenskyy said he would not negotiate with Moscow and stressed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity could not be negotiated.