Russia plans strikes on service facilities of nuclear power plants - Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is preparing further strikes against Ukraine’s energy system and critical infrastructure, including facilities that support the operation of nuclear power plants.

Zelensky made the statement on X (formerly Twitter) following a briefing by Oleh Ivashchenko, Head of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence (DIU), on Russia’s current military plans.

“A report by the chief of Defence Intelligence, Oleh Ivashchenko. Primarily about the designated tasks for the Russian army,” Zelensky wrote.

“We do not see any willingness on the part of the aggressor to comply with any agreements or to end the war. Instead, there is ample information about preparations for further Russian strikes on our energy sector and infrastructure, including facilities and networks that serve our nuclear power plants.”

The president stressed that Russia’s continued attacks on energy infrastructure during the winter months directly undermine international diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war.

“Every Russian strike on the energy sector in harsh winter conditions weakens and undermines the efforts of key states, particularly the United States, to bring this war to an end,” Zelensky said.

He emphasized that Ukraine remains committed to diplomacy, while Russia continues to pursue a strategy of destruction and intimidation.

“Ukraine is being as constructive as possible in diplomacy, while Russia is focused only on strikes and on tormenting people,” Zelensky added. “Our partners must draw the proper conclusions from this. We will provide all available information to those in the world whose influence truly matters and who can help.”

Russians struck Kharkiv with ballistics, causing significant damage to critical infrastructure and injuring civilians

Russian forces struck the city of Kharkiv on the afternoon of 17 January, injuring civilians and causing significant damage to critical infrastructure, local authorities reported.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said an enemy strike was recorded in the city’s Industrialnyi district, confirming that a critical infrastructure facility was hit.

“An enemy strike has been recorded in the Industrialnyi district of the city,” Terekhov said.

He added that three civilians were injured as a result of the attack.

City Mayor described the damage as severe, stressing that the impact on the city’s energy system is substantial.

“The enemy has struck a critical infrastructure facility in the Industrialnyi district. A person is reported to have been injured,” he said.

“The damage is significant, and this is not a case of ‘patching it up a bit and moving on’. We are talking about serious blows to the system that provides the city with heat and electricity.”

According to the mayor, each new attack further undermines Kharkiv’s ability to maintain stable energy supplies during winter conditions.

“With each such strike, maintaining centralized heat and electricity supply becomes harder,” Terekhov said.

“The energy system is in a very challenging condition: reserves are not endless, the load is at its peak, and any new damage immediately eats into the capacity for stabilization.”

He warned that any additional strikes could further destabilize supply and significantly complicate and prolong repair work.

The main task of Ukraine's delegation in the US is to report on the aftermath of Russia's attacks

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the primary task of the Ukrainian delegation visiting the United States is to present a full and accurate picture of developments and the damage caused by Russian strikes.

Zelensky said one of the consequences of what he described as Russian terror is the discrediting of diplomacy and the erosion of opportunities for dialogue.

“Among the consequences of this terror is the discrediting of the diplomatic process: people lose faith in diplomacy, and Russian attacks constantly undermine even the limited opportunities for dialogue that existed before,” Zelensky said.

He also stressed the importance of making progress on documents that are still under preparation.

“Ukraine has never been and will never be a roadblock to peace, and it is now up to our partners to determine whether diplomacy moves forward,” the president added.