During a visit to Belgrade on Saturday, August 8, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine is bracing for a difficult winter with virtually no operational thermal power plants following overnight Russian missile strikes that killed four people, including a child, in the Kyiv region.

Speaking alongside Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Zelenskyy reported that Moscow's recent attacks and shelling of frontline communities had resulted in 13 deaths in the last 24 hours. He emphasized that "Russian missiles are aimed precisely at making the lives of Ukrainians unbearable," often targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Ukraine's thermal power plants, which complement its nuclear energy grid, have been severely damaged, leaving the country with "virtually no intact thermal power plants" as it prepares for the upcoming heating season.

Zelenskyy also highlighted the need for increased access to interceptor missiles to counter the growing number of long-range strikes. He renewed calls for tougher sanctions to halt the flow of missile parts into Russia from "almost every continent, including from our close partners."

In an earlier post on X, Zelenskyy noted that four more people were hospitalized following a double-tap strike: the child's parents, his 15-year-old brother, and a neighbor who came to assist the family.

The Ukrainian State Emergency Service released a photograph on August 8 showing a burning building in the Kyiv region after the ballistic missile strikes.

More than four years into Russia's large-scale offensive against Ukraine, the conflict continues to escalate with increased long-range attacks causing rising civilian casualties.

Sources