Zelensky warns Russia prepares massive strike on Ukraine

Tuesday 20 January 2026 - 09:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Zelensky warns Russia prepares massive strike on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued an urgent warning on January 19, 2026, stating that Russia has readied a large-scale attack and awaits the right moment to launch it. In his evening address, he urged Ukrainians to remain vigilant and heed all air raid alerts as the country braces for what could be another devastating assault on its already battered infrastructure. Zelensky emphasized utmost caution in the coming days, stressing that every region must respond swiftly to protect civilians.

The alert came amid ongoing Russian drone barrages overnight on January 19, hitting energy infrastructure across five regions including Odesa, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Sumy. Power outages affected tens of thousands of households amid freezing temperatures, Reuters reported. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy provider, said its Odesa facility suffered major damage, leaving over 30,000 homes without electricity. In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, missiles struck critical infrastructure Monday morning, inflicting significant destruction, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Ukraine declared an energy emergency on January 14, with its power grid generating only about 11 gigawatts against a winter demand of 18 gigawatts.

Compounding the crisis, Ukrainian officials warned of Russian plans to target substations feeding the country's nuclear power plants. Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal notified IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on January 19 about this looming threat to nuclear sites. Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate reported on January 17 that Russia conducted reconnaissance on 10 critical energy facilities across nine regions as part of potential plots to disable substations linked to nuclear plants. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called on the IAEA and global powers to pressure Moscow to abandon these schemes, warning of potentially catastrophic consequences. He accused Moscow of showing no limits in its genocidal aim to leave Ukrainians powerless during a brutal winter freeze, posting on social media. The IAEA stated it is preparing a report on Russian attacks' impact on nuclear facilities, with Grossi noting that deteriorating grid conditions from persistent military action directly threaten nuclear safety.