Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine faces the coming winter with “virtually no intact thermal power plants” following another wave of Russian strikes.
Speaking during his first official visit to Belgrade on Saturday,Zelensky said Russian attacks and shelling of frontline communities had killed 13 people over the previous 24 hours.
Four people were killed in overnight strikes in the Kyiv region,including a three-year-old child.
“Russian missiles are aimed precisely at making the lives of Ukrainians unbearable,” Zelensky said alongside Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
He said Ukraine was entering the approaching heating season with “virtually no intact thermal power plants”. Thermal plants remain an important part of the country’s electricity system alongside nuclear power.
More than four years after Russia launched its large-scale offensive,the two countries have intensified long-range attacks.
Moscow has increased strikes on Kyiv in recent months,including salvos of ballistic missiles that are difficult to intercept. Ukraine has continued calling for more US-made Patriot interceptors and other Western air-defence systems.
Kyiv has also been launching record numbers of drones at Russia in retaliation.
Zelensky Calls for Tougher Sanctions
Following talks with Vucic,Zelensky renewed his call for tougher sanctions designed to prevent components used in Russian missiles from reaching the country.
He said missile parts were arriving from “almost every continent,including from our close partners”.
“These components arrive,and then missiles strike people,killing children,civilians and soldiers,” Zelensky said.
He also called for greater access to interceptor missiles as Ukraine confronts increasing long-range attacks.
Serbia remains one of the few European countries that has not imposed sanctions on Russia,a longtime ally of Belgrade.
Vucic said Serbia’s policy had not changed despite discussions about the war during Zelensky’s visit.
“We did not discuss any military cooperation today or at present. What will happen when the war ends is another matter,” Vucic said.
His government continues to provide non-military assistance to Ukraine,and Vucic reiterated Serbia’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The Kremlin has accused Serbian companies of selling ammunition to Ukraine,an allegation Vucic has repeatedly denied.
Child Among Those Killed Near Kyiv
Zelensky’s visit came after another overnight barrage of Russian missiles and drones targeted Kyiv and surrounding areas.
Ukraine’s air force warned of the “threat of ballistic weapon use from the north”,while explosions were reported in the capital.
Zelensky said attacks had also struck frontline communities,leaving dozens injured.
A three-year-old boy was among those killed in a village outside Kyiv.
“Four more people were hospitalised: the child's parents,his 15-year-old brother,and a neighbour who came to the family's aid and was wounded in a double-tap strike,” Zelensky said.
