The Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Slovenia Petro Besta in his interview with the Slovenian media outlet 24ur emphasized that the winter of 2025–2026 has been the coldest and most challenging for Ukraine in the past decade. The Russian Federation is deliberately exploiting low temperatures as a tool of pressure by carrying out massive strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. According to Ukrainian assessments, up to 80 percent of the energy system’s production capacity has been destroyed or damaged, leading to widespread electricity and heating outages, particularly in Kyiv and Kharkiv. Millions of civilians, primarily women and children, are forced to survive with limited access to basic services.

The Ambassador stressed that energy infrastructure has become one of the key battlegrounds of the war, with Russian missile and drone attacks increasingly targeting civilian objects rather than military facilities, including hospitals, schools, and residential buildings. He noted that daily attacks may involve between 300 and 500 drones, creating a constant threat to the civilian population.

At the same time, despite the war, Ukraine remains committed to the principle of international solidarity, as demonstrated by its assistance to Slovenia during the floods in 2023. Today, Ukraine relies on the support of its partners, including contributions to EU energy funds and humanitarian initiatives. In cooperation with Caritas Slovenija, a fundraising campaign has been launched to procure electric generators for heating centers and so-called “points of solidarity” in Ukraine.

The Ambassador also emphasized that while Ukraine seeks peace, it can only be achieved on the basis of justice and genuine security, as Russian aggression continues to cause severe humanitarian losses and threatens the very survival of the civilian population.

The full interview can be found at the link: https://www.24ur.com/novice/tujina/vojna-dronov-in-tehnologij-sola-pa-pod-zemljo-preziveti-moramo-zimo.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawP2q5FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeZZ2MotGZ3V7rIpeowYq9DcyY9_dffbh-K1jDM6AY4eEg2i12q4hn39q5Xuk_aem_HLnoA9vMGgaezIwBIrCN7g

Photo: 24UR.