President Zelensky has issued an urgent plea to Ukraine's allies for the rapid delivery of missiles, revealing that several of Ukraine's air defense systems were critically "without missiles" until Friday morning. He disclosed this openly after a "substantial package" of missiles was received earlier that day, stating, "I can say this openly because today I have those missiles." This critical shortage comes amidst relentless Russian bombardment targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which has plunged thousands into darkness and cold during a brutal winter, with temperatures dropping as low as -19C in Kyiv. The capital's mayor has announced that schools will remain shut until February due to severe energy shortages.

Zelensky emphasized that while missile shipments are vital, they do not signify an immediate end to winter or a cessation of Russian attacks. He reiterated Ukraine's reliance on Western partners for consistent supplies of missiles for its vital air defense systems, highlighting the "enormous effort, blood, and human lives" required to secure these packages. The President openly criticized countries that have "stockpiled" such ammunition, arguing that Ukraine, currently at war, has an immediate and dire need for these resources. On Friday evening, Zelensky warned that Ukraine possessed "intelligence information" indicating Russia was preparing for large-scale strikes, further stressing the inadequacy of current supplies and the urgent need for partners to expedite deliveries.

The dire situation prompted Kyiv to declare a state of emergency in its energy sector, with former prime minister Denys Shmyhal appointed energy minister to manage the crisis. Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow of intentionally exploiting the exceptionally cold winter to inflict suffering. Shmyhal conveyed to parliament that Moscow is "betting it can break us through energy terror," and has instructed state companies to ramp up energy imports. Thousands of energy workers are in a race against time to restore power across the nation, repairing plants and substations ravaged by Russian strikes. Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that a significant portion of the capital was without heating and facing a "huge shortage of electricity"—levels had plummeted to less than half of what was required, marking a first in the ongoing war. Curfews, initially imposed after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, have been temporarily eased to allow residents access to emergency hubs providing essential heating and electricity. Klitschko had previously suggested that residents consider leaving Kyiv to alleviate pressure on critical resources.

In parallel to the domestic crisis, diplomatic efforts are underway. President Zelensky announced that Ukrainian negotiators were en route to the United States for further talks. These discussions, scheduled for Saturday in Miami, Florida, are set to focus on security guarantees and a comprehensive post-war recovery package for Ukraine, as confirmed by Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Olga Stefanishyna. The Ukrainian delegation includes key figures such as Kyrylo Budanov, head of Zelensky's office, and Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's national security and defense council. Zelensky expressed hope that these proposals could be formalized and signed with the US during the upcoming World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, pending American agreement and finalization.

Separately, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) successfully brokered a localized ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia. This agreement aims to facilitate urgent repairs to the sole remaining back-up power line at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which sustained damage from "military activity" on January 2nd. Work at Europe's largest nuclear power plant, located in southern Ukraine, is expected to commence in the coming days. Rafael Mariano Grossi, IAEA's director general, voiced concerns over multiple recent incidents where "military activity affected nuclear safety" and highlighted the "direct implications" of Ukraine's deteriorating power grid on nuclear safety.

Despite these diplomatic and emergency efforts, Russian attacks persisted on Friday. Officials reported that two individuals were killed and six others injured in the central Ukrainian city of Nikopol due to "enemy artillery fire." The broader human cost of the conflict remains severe, with the United Nations stating that the previous year was Ukraine's deadliest for civilians since 2022.