President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged allies to enhance their air defense support for Ukraine to protect the nation’s energy infrastructure.

During a conference in Germany focused on the reconstruction of Ukraine, Zelenskyy highlighted that Russia has demolished half of Ukraine’s power generation capacity. He indicated that seven additional Patriot missile systems and other air defenses are necessary to shield Ukrainian cities from ongoing missile assaults.

The two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin marks the beginning of a week filled with diplomatic engagements for the Ukrainian president. He will also attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit with Western allies and a peace summit in Switzerland.

The German hosts note that the conference brings together 2,000 participants from various sectors, emphasizing that supporting Ukraine’s recovery is a task beyond the capacity of governments alone.

Sustained Russian attacks on Ukraine’s electrical grid have recently led to nationwide rolling blackouts. Zelenskyy stressed the urgent need for equipment to repair damaged heating and electricity plants.

“This will enable us to address the current situation,” he stated.

According to Zelenskyy, nine gigawatts of electricity generating capacity have been destroyed, including 80 percent of thermal power and one-third of hydroelectric power. Last winter, peak consumption in Ukraine was 18 gigawatts.

Energy continues to be “one of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s primary targets,” he added.

The Kremlin defended its attacks on energy facilities, claiming they aim to disrupt electricity supplies to military sites.

Amnesty International labeled the attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as a war crime.

Assisting in Reducing Attacks

Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv, supported the call for increased air defense, indicating that Ukrainian forces' ability to conduct air attacks within Russia has decreased the frequency of attacks on Kharkiv.

“This has been beneficial,” Terekhov mentioned in a Reuters interview.

Nevertheless, Russia launched three guided bombs at Kharkiv on Monday, damaging two homes, local officials reported, highlighting the ongoing danger.

The city and its surrounding region have been persistently targeted by Russian assaults, which intensified in recent months and have struck civilian and energy infrastructures.

Moscow’s forces have made gradual advances along parts of the eastern front and are attempting to penetrate deeper into the northeastern Kharkiv region.