Kyiv

In the wake of one of Russia’s most extensive aerial offensives since the war began, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday (local time) urged the international community to exert “additional pressure” on Moscow to bring an end to the conflict, stressing that Ukraine has never stood in the way of peace.

Overnight on Monday, Russian forces carried out a massive assault, launching more than 650 drones and over 30 missiles across at least 13 Ukrainian regions. The attacks claimed three lives, including that of a four-year-old child.

Addressing the nation through a video message, President Zelenskyy said genuine progress toward peace depends on Russia refraining from undermining diplomatic efforts. He noted that the strikes primarily targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure but reassured citizens that electricity supplies would be restored in time for Christmas.

“The day began with a despicable attack on our country, typical of everything they do. The energy sector was the main target. Sadly, there have been casualties,” Zelenskyy said. He added that repair teams had been working around the clock at damaged facilities to ensure power availability during the holiday period. Accusing Russia of attempting to spoil Christmas for Ukrainians, he underlined the country’s urgent need for continued international support, including air defence systems, funding for weapons production, and broader assistance to sustain national resilience.

Zelenskyy also confirmed that he held a virtual discussion with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, thanking her for consistent support. The interaction followed a European Council decision to extend 90 billion euros in financial assistance to Ukraine for the 2026–27 period.

Reiterating Kyiv’s position, the Ukrainian leader said his country remains fully committed to cooperation on any realistic peace initiative. “We sense that the United States wants to reach a final agreement, and Ukraine is fully cooperating. We have never been, and will never be, an obstacle to peace,” he said, adding that if Russia continues to derail diplomacy, stronger pressure must be applied. “The world has all the tools required to make that pressure effective and ensure peace,” he asserted.

Earlier, Zelenskyy had taken to social media to condemn the timing and scale of the assault, noting that it severely disrupted civilian life and essential services. He reported fatalities in the Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi and Zhytomyr regions, including the death of a young child after a drone strike hit a residential building, and offered condolences to the affected families.

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Calling the attack particularly cruel given its proximity to Christmas, Zelenskyy said families had hoped to spend the holiday in safety. Despite recent high-level peace discussions in cities such as Miami and Berlin, he noted that conditions on the ground remain extremely volatile, with continued escalation in aerial attacks and military operations.