Zelensky: not a single intact thermal power plant remains in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russian strikes have destroyed virtually every thermal power plant in the country, threatening Ukraine’s ability to survive another wartime winter.

He made the statement on Saturday at a joint press conference in Belgrade with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

“Virtually not a single thermal power plant remains intact due to Russian strikes, and Russian missiles are aimed precisely at making the lives of Ukrainians unbearable,” Zelensky said.

He added that railway stations, hospitals, and universities have also been damaged. Zelensky characterized Moscow’s missile campaign as deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure.

The remarks came during Zelensky’s first visit to Serbia since he took office in 2019. Belgrade has maintained close ties with Moscow throughout the war, but following the talks announced a new humanitarian aid package focused on medical and energy supplies. Serbia also allocated €2 million to support Ukraine’s energy sector, according to a statement by Zelensky on X.

The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of animal health and food safety. Free trade agreement negotiations, which are planned to be concluded by the end of the year, were also discussed. Zelensky held separate talks with Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut and said that Serbia expressed readiness to participate in the reconstruction of one of the Ukrainian cities affected by the war.

Zelensky also used the Belgrade visit to underscore Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

“Every opportunity must be used for the sake of peace and guaranteed security — every available opportunity: in Washington, in Beijing, in the capitals of Europe, in the capitals of our partners in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, and in every capital in the world that has influence over the relevant processes,” the Ukrainian president said.

Serbian President Vučić, who faces pressure from both Western allies and Moscow, received Zelensky as part of what Al Jazeera described as a broad desire by both countries to deepen economic ties amid the ongoing war.