Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: Collected

VILNIUS, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 
sought more air defence support from allies on Sunday as hundreds of 
buildings in Kyiv were without heating in freezing temperatures for a second 
day after Russian strikes.

Russia has hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure throughout the nearly four-
year war, but Kyiv says this winter has been the toughest with hundreds of 
Russian drones and missiles overwhelming air defences during particularly 
fierce frosts.

"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," the 
president said as he arrived in Vilnius.

"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.

Russian bombardments have hit Kyiv particularly hard, forcing half a million 
people to evacuate.

"There are currently 1,676 high-rise apartment buildings in Kyiv without 
heating following the enemy's attack on Kyiv city on January 24," said mayor 
Vitali Klitschko.

Sub-zero temperatures and repeated air strikes have slowed efforts by repair 
crews working to restore heating and electricity.

In Vilnius, Zelensky was taking part in a ceremony to commemorate the 1863 
uprising in Poland and Lithuania against Tsarist Russia.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who also attended the event, drew a parallel 
between the Russian invasion of Ukraine and past struggles for freedom by 
peoples in the Russian empire.

"The message of these celebrations is that by looking to the past for what we 
have in common, it's easier today to face the problems ahead of us. 
Especially in an era of the revival of imperial Russia," his office said on 
X.

Poland and Lithuania are among the staunchest supporters of Kyiv in the 
European Union, and both have recently supplied hundreds of generators to the 
war-torn country.

US-brokered talks with Russia and Ukraine on Washington's plan to end the war 
ended with no apparent breakthrough on Saturday.

Still, Zelensky said the negotiations were "constructive", and both sides 
have agreed to meet in Abu Dhabi again next week.