Russian Attack Hits Power Plant, President Zelensky: This Is Not Done By Those Who Want Peace

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia's attack on Ukraine as something they did not want peace, referring to talks by the leaders of the two countries with United States President Donald Trump.

Russian drone attacks have damaged a thermal power plant in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine over the weekend, causing at least 100,000 people to lose heat as temperatures drop below freezing, top Ukrainian officials said on Sunday.

"This has nothing to do with fighting and the situation on the front lines, but once again this proves that Russia is fighting against our people and fighting against life in Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelensky said via Telegram's message.

"And they fight cruelly, without reducing pressure. This is not what those who really want peace to be restored and are preparing for negotiations," he said.

Last week, President Trump made phone calls with President Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said the two leaders wanted peace.

Earlier, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the attack on the power plant was "deliberately carried out to make people lose heating below zero and create a humanitarian catastrophe."

Russia attacked Ukraine with 143 drones on Saturday night. The Ukrainian military said it had shot down 95 drones while 46 had not reached the target, possibly thanks to the use of electromagnetic countermeasures that disrupted the drone strike.

At least one person was injured in an attack last night that also damaged houses in the Kyiv region, Ukrainian officials said. Temperatures in Mykolaiv are expected to drop to minus 7 degrees Celsius (19.4 Fahrenheit) on Sunday night.

President Zelensky himself again urged Western allies to give Ukraine more air defense, with Russia now taking control of 20 percent of Ukraine's territory and slowly advancing east as Moscow's full-scale invasion approaches its third anniversary.

He cited data showing that in the past week Russia had released about 1,220 aerial bombs, more than 850 unmanned aircraft, and more than 40 missiles into government-controlled territory in Ukraine.

There was no immediate comment from Russia.

Since the war broke out in February 2022, both sides have denied targeting civilians in the war Russia began with its invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.

"Europe and the world should be better protected from such crimes and prepare to face them," President Zelensky said in a post on Telegram.

"Together with Europe, the US and all our partners, we can end this war with a just and lasting peace," he added.

It is known that European countries plan to hold meetings on Monday to discuss war in Ukraine.