Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on the United States to intensify pressure on Russia after a major overnight air attack crippled heating supplies across large parts of Kyiv and struck power infrastructure the U.N. says is critical for nuclear safety.
The strikes, part of Russia’s escalating winter campaign against Ukraine’s energy system, left more than half of the capital without heat during a severe cold snap and shows Kyiv’s growing urgency as Washington presses for progress toward ending the war.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the assault left 5,635 apartment buildings without heating, as temperatures plunged to minus 15 degrees Celsius (5 Fahrenheit). Emergency crews worked to restore services as residents faced freezing conditions.
Ukraine’s energy ministry said several substations were damaged, including facilities the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has previously identified as essential for maintaining nuclear safety systems.
Speaking to reporters in a WhatsApp media briefing, Zelenskiy said Washington had not yet used its full influence to deter Moscow.
“Can America do more? It can, and we really want this, and we believe that the Americans are capable of doing this,” he said, adding that the U.S. administration could still apply stronger pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin if it chose to.
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In an earlier post on X, Zelenskiy said some of the missiles used in the latest attack were manufactured this year, reinforcing his call for tougher sanctions to disrupt Russia’s military production capabilities.
The strikes came days after a fresh round of talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials as part of a U.S.-backed diplomatic effort to explore a path toward peace. Kyiv has signaled openness to discussions, but Russian officials have shown little public enthusiasm for negotiations.
Zelenskiy said he was prepared to travel to Davos, where world leaders are gathering for the annual World Economic Forum, if Washington was ready to finalize agreements on security guarantees for Ukraine and a framework for post-war economic recovery.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched more than 330 drones and nearly three dozen missiles overnight. Most were intercepted, it said, but enough penetrated air defenses to cause widespread disruption.
Russia’s defense ministry said the strikes targeted military-industrial, energy, and transport facilities, describing them as support for its frontline operations.
