Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia has damaged every power plant in Ukraine, warning that blackouts are now part of a nationwide repair effort. He made the appeal in Madrid on Thursday, asking Latin American leaders for equipment that can work with Ukraine's power grid.
"Every power plant in Ukraine has been damaged in one way or another by attacks," Zelenskyy said at a summit in Madrid. He added that repair crews were working around the clock and that Ukraine needs equipment fast.
Madrid appeal to Latin America
Zelenskyy delivered the appeal at a meeting on the sidelines of the summit of the Ibero-American Community, a 22-nation group of mainly Latin American Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries. He said, "We need as much international cooperation as possible to continue rebuilding and repairing our energy system."
He said, "We know that companies in Spain and Latin America can help with this, can support this," and added, "We need equipment that works with our power grid, and we need it fast." The request pointed to a practical bottleneck: Ukraine needs gear that can be fitted into an already damaged system rather than general aid that arrives without matching the grid.
Russia and Ukraine overnight strikes
The appeal came as Russia and Ukraine exchanged overnight airstrikes on Thursday. Zelenskyy said four out of 36 missiles were shot down overnight, while other attacks continued to stretch repair teams already working across Ukraine.
In Komyshuvakha, rescue teams kept searching for more than 30 people believed trapped after Russian guided bombs hit a former school and a nearby shelter on Monday. Zelenskyy said 43 people had been confirmed dead there, and one person previously reported missing had been found alive.
Trump, Dmitriev and Europe
Donald Trump said he had an unscheduled meeting with Kirill Dmitriev at the White House and described a coming deal with Russia as very big. Trump said, "It's going to be very big. It's going to involve more than Ukraine, and I could even say it might involve all of Europe … everyone’s going to be thrilled."
That comment adds a wider political complication for Europe while Ukraine is asking for repair equipment and faster support. The immediate unanswered issue is what specific equipment Spain and Latin America can move into Ukraine's grid quickly enough to keep repairs going as the strikes continue.
