“Those Who Seek Peace Don’t Act This Way"—Zelenskyy on Russian Attack Leaving 100,000 Without Heat

A Russian drone strike on Mykolaiv overnight on February 16 left more than 100,000 residents without heating, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attack targeted critical infrastructure in the city, causing significant disruptions to civilian life.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Mykolaiv is an ordinary Ukrainian city with civilian infrastructure unrelated to military operations or the frontline. He stated that such strikes demonstrate Russia’s continued pressure on Ukraine and its population, contradicting any claims of readiness for peace negotiations.

“Those who truly seek to restore peace do not act this way,” Zelenskyy said. He added that emergency repair crews are working to restore heating as quickly as possible and underscored Ukraine’s ongoing cooperation with international partners to strengthen defenses against such attacks.

The Ukrainian president also referenced a recent drone strike on a shelter at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, noting that repeated attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure should prompt a strong response from Ukraine’s partners. He called for intensified international efforts to counter Russia’s actions and prevent the war from becoming a prolonged or normalized threat.

In the same overnight attack, Russian forces launched 143 drones and two ballistic missiles across Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The majority of drones were intercepted by air defense systems.

On February 14, Russian drone strike has damaged a nuclear sheild above Reactor 4 at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that its team at Chornobyl heard an explosion around 01:50 on the night of February 13-14. The blast originated from the New Safe Confinement (NSC), the massive steel structure enclosing the remains of Reactor 4.