A first responder fights a fire set by Russian strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine, December 27, 2025

EA-War and Politics 24 VideoCast: Ukraine and Russia — Has Putin Lost All His Friends?

Friday’s Coverage: Zelensky — “Russia Must Be Put Under Pressure”

UPDATE 0759 GMT:

Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a temporary, localized ceasefire to allow repair work on a backup power line supplying the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest.

International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi announced the agency’s successful mediation on Friday.

The power line was damaged during military action on January 2, leaving the plant fully dependent on a single operational 750-kilovolt main transmission line. Ukrainian specialists are expected to begin repairs in the coming days.

An IAEA team has departed Vienna and is heading toward the frontline area to monitor the repair work.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine is speaking frankly to allies about air defense shortages as Russia escalates missile and drone strikes to break Kyiv’s energy infrastructure.

Zelensky told the nation on Friday night:

Hours earlier, during a visit to Kyiv, Czech Republic President Petr Pavel told Zelensky that Prague will soon provide Ukraine with “medium combat planes which are highly effective in fighting drones”.

Pavel has said that Czech-made subsonic L-159 fighter jets could be transferred. “I believe we will manage to quickly and successfully conclude this issue,” he told a joint news conference.

The Czech army has 24 one- and two-seater L-159 jets, used for training and support for ground forces. They can be armed with missiles and machine-gun pods.

Pavel said Prague might also supply early-warning systems such as radars.

Zelensky also posted about an urgent meeting on energy in the “Ramstein format” which has been used by Ukraine and its partners on military issues.

We are talking about all of the systems that protect our state’s energy infrastructure. The issue is not just the Patriot systems, which will never be enough. Ukraine has received many different systems during the course of the war, and these require constant interceptor missile packages.

The President said Ukraine received “a significant shipment” on Friday morning: “It is now in Ukraine, and I can speak about it. But securing these packages takes enormous effort, blood, and human lives.”