President Zelensky Calls Ukraine Safe from Winter, But There's Still a Threat of an Energy Crisis from Russia

JAKARTA - Ukraine made it through last winter thanks to the government's efforts to ensure energy and heat, but Russia is still a threat to the power generation system, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday.

The first day of March is traditionally marked in Ukraine, and Russia, as the end of winter although cold weather may continue.

Last winter, Russia had carried out regular missile attacks on power plants in a calculated strategy to bring the Ukrainian people to their knees.

"Winter has ended. It was a very difficult season and every Ukrainian, without exaggerating, feels its hardships," President Zelensky said in a late-night video message, which came after a meeting on energy issues.

"But we managed to provide Ukraine with energy and heat. Threats to the energy system remain. And work continues to ensure the energy system remains functional," he said.

President Zelensky added that officials discussed how to make the usual transition from winter to summer to meet energy needs.

"We see the risk and will provide a response," he said.

It is known, human rights groups say, attacks on energy targets have a sizable impact on civilians.

Several groups say the attacks should be investigated as war crimes. The attacks have at times knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians in their homes.