While the world’s attention is focused on Greenland, the Russian army is escalating its attacks in Ukraine.

This is a development the Ukrainian intelligence service has warned against, writes Die Welt. This has particularly affected Ukraine’s energy supply.

On Tuesday, Russia fired approximately 470 drones and 47 cruise missiles at Ukraine, many of them aimed at the capital. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, one million consumers in Kyiv are without electricity.

It’s 29 degrees below zero in the capital right now. So it’s a big problem when the power goes out.

Klitschko also warned of the risk of an epidemic in the city due to burst sewage pipes. If the humanitarian situation persists, Europe will probably have to prepare for a new wave of refugees.

“Putin is using the cold as a weapon against civilians, and the world is watching,” commented Ukrainian security expert Maria Avdeeva on X.

Throughout the war, Russia has waged a long-range weapons campaign that has “deliberately targeted Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure, disproportionately affecting civilians, and has intensified these attacks in recent months”, writes the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest report.

The Russians are firing large salvos simultaneously to inflict maximum damage.

“This highlights the critical importance of Western assistance in strengthening Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, particularly the US-made Patriot air defence systems, which are capable of effectively countering the threat posed by Russia’s ballistic missiles,” said ISW.

Ukraine received a shipment of ammunition for the first time this year.

Ukraine received a shipment of Patriot missiles on 18 January, but the willingness of partners to supply weapons is declining.

“At a time when so many people are dying, we are still struggling to get all these missiles for the various defence systems,” said Zelensky. “We’re begging for them and trying to squeeze everything out by force.”

The US has suspended its support for Ukraine, so it is Europe that must supply weapons to Ukraine. But in European capitals, the focus has been on US President Donald Trump and Greenland.

“The real tragedy of the Greenland circus is that it diverts energy and focus from Ukraine. This is a strategic distraction that has taken on a hugely damaging dimension,” said Wolgang Ischinger, long-time chairman of the Munich Security Conference.

The situation on the front is largely deadlocked. The Russian army is advancing, but only very slowly. In just over a month’s time, the war in Ukraine will have been going on for four years.

Zelenskyj meets Trump in Davos on Thursday, and the meeting has just started. Trump is frustrated with both Zelenskyj and Vladimir Putin.

“I think they’re at a point now where they can come together and come to an agreement. And if they don’t, they’re stupid – that goes for both of them.”