Photograph: Sergei Gapon/AFP/GettyVolodymyr Zelenskiy has accused Europeans of leaving Ukraine’s air defences empty as Russian ballistic missiles crippled the country’s energy infrastructure and pushed it “to the brink of a blackout”. Mr Zelenskiy’s remarks came a day after Donald Trump said that Russia’s Vladimir Putin had agreed to cease firing on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure “for a week during this ... extraordinary cold”. Ukraine’s air force reported no missile or drone strikes in much of the country, including the capital. Russian ballistic missiles have crippled Ukraine’s energy infrastructure often leaving Kyiv without powerHe added: “That is the situation I am in. “I know the ballistic missiles have been launched, and partners know that my air defence units are empty.

Source: The Irish Times January 30, 2026 14:34 UTC