In brief: President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin told people in his inner circle he wanted to “destroy life” in Ukrainian cities, urging European partners to help implement winter resilience plans. Speaking at the European Political Community summit in Dublin on Thursday, Nov. 12, Zelensky said plans were ready for Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and other cities but needed “special support.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin had told people in his inner circle he wanted to “destroy life” in Ukrainian cities, as he urged European partners to help put winter resilience plans into action at a summit in Dublin on Thursday, Nov. 12.
In an official video of his remarks at the European Political Community summit, Zelensky called the information “reliable.” “He wants to destroy life in these cities,” he said. The president did not identify the people in Putin’s inner circle.
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Zelensky named Kyiv, the capital, along with Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and other historic cities as targets of what he called Russia’s “constant terror.” He said Ukraine had prepared resilience plans for those cities.
“They are ready, and we need special support to put these plans into action,” Zelensky said, urging partners to help the cities prepare for winter. He did not specify in those remarks what form the additional support should take.
What do the resilience plans cover?
The plans are intended to help cities maintain essential services and protect critical infrastructure during Russian attacks and power disruptions. In August, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council reviewed resilience plans in several regions and approved a comprehensive plan for Kyiv.
Zelensky identified three priorities for preparing for winter: protecting critical infrastructure, ensuring an adequate number of quality shelters, and increasing Ukraine’s ability to intercept ballistic missiles. He said the resilience plans also cover the energy grid, electricity, gas, and water supplies.
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At the August meeting, regional officials from Dnipro, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia, among other cities, reported on the implementation of their plans. Their priorities included protecting energy, heating, and water facilities, restoring infrastructure, and increasing energy capacity.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal also reported on agreements with partners to support Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The government said preparations included backup power and alternative energy sources, along with protection for energy and gas equipment.
Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said local governments should audit apartment buildings to ensure internal systems can operate without external power. He warned that backup power is not enough if a building is not prepared to use it. The meeting also covered repair reserves and diesel fuel for infrastructure.
At the August meeting, Zelensky said Ukraine had received nearly three times fewer anti-ballistic missiles since the start of 2026 than previously, citing fighting in the Middle East. He called on Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry and defense ministry to secure more interceptors and on the defense industry to develop air defense systems with partners.
National Security and Defense Council Secretary Ihor Klymenko said Russia was still trying to destroy Ukraine’s energy system “to leave the country without water and heat,” and warned that attacks on civilians would intensify in the fall.
Why is Kyiv’s winter readiness under scrutiny?
Zelensky’s appeal to protect several major cities follows recent disputes over Kyiv’s readiness. In late October, he said the capital had failed to fully implement its resilience plan, citing concerns about electricity and water supplies, critical infrastructure protection and bridges.
He also asked the prime minister to assemble a special team of experienced managers to help address Kyiv’s infrastructure problems. The appeal for a team came amid a dispute between the central government and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko over the capital’s winter readiness.
Kyiv residents have faced electricity outages lasting from several hours to several days, alongside prolonged interruptions to water and heating, as Russian strikes damaged energy infrastructure. The outages and debate over winter preparations have kept the city’s readiness and the division of responsibility between central and municipal authorities in public view.
In a recent report on how residents are coping, Kyiv residents called for more public charging and shelter points and backup power for boiler rooms and water systems. Others urged local authorities to expand decentralized energy, install cogeneration units, and strengthen backup power for critical infrastructure.
The government approved Kyiv’s resilience plan in August, but Zelensky’s October remarks focused on its incomplete implementation. His call in Dublin addressed plans for Kyiv and other major cities, which he said were ready but still required additional support to be carried out.
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