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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Western allies powers to provide more air defence support on Sunday, as Russian strikes have left hundreds of buildings in Kyiv without heating and electricity in freezing temperatures.
Russia has hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure throughout the nearly four-year war, but Kyiv says this winter has been the toughest.
“This week alone, the Russians have launched more than 1,700 attack drones, over 1,380 guided aerial bombs, and 69 missiles of various types,” Zelenskyy said as he arrived in Vilnius to take part in a ceremony to commemorate the 1863 uprising in Poland and Lithuania against tsarist Russia.
“That is why missiles for air defence systems are needed every day, and we continue working with the United States and Europe to ensure stronger protection of our skies,” he added.
Kyiv is particularly hit hard, with half a million people forced to evacuate.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said “there are currently 1,676 high-rise apartment buildings in Kyiv without heating following the enemy’s attack on Kyiv city on 24 January.”
Sub-zero temperatures and repeated air strikes have been a hindrance to efforts by repair crews working to restore heating and electricity.
On Friday and Saturday, officials from the US, Russia and Ukraine took part in talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending the war.
Though the negotiations provided no breakthrough, Zelenskyy said they were nevertheless “constructive”, with both sides agreeing to meet again in Abu Dhabi as early as next week.