A first responder fights a fire set by Russian strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine, December 27, 2025
Friday’s Coverage: Zelensky — “Russia Must Be Put Under Pressure”
Zelensky told the nation on Friday night:
Our intelligence reports that Russia is preparing new massive attacks. We are speaking frankly to our partners — both about air-defense missiles and the systems we need so much. Supplies are insufficient. We are trying to speed things up, and it’s crucial that our partners hear us. pic.twitter.com/S5mxhOI3fL
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 16, 2026
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.
I informed @prezidentpavel about the situation on the frontline and about our recovery needs. Every day, Ukrainians have to restore essential services after Russian attacks. And each of these strikes against our energy sector and our cities quite clearly shows Russia’s real… pic.twitter.com/MskQqKP4i1
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 16, 2026
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.”