Devastating Strikes Leave Thousands Without Heat, Power in Kyiv
Nearly 3,000 apartment complexes across the capital remained cut off from heating systems by Thursday morning, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko disclosed via Telegram. Repair teams managed to restore thermal services to 227 residential towers overnight, marking the second restoration effort since twin assaults struck critical infrastructure on January 9 and January 20.
"Last night, heat was connected to 227 houses. This was done for the second time after infrastructure damage by enemy attacks on January 9 and 20," Klitschko noted, adding that utility crews are working around the clock.
The mayor specified that "slightly less than 3,000 high-rise buildings" continue operating without functional heating despite continuous repair operations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly challenged local government claims that existing resources prove adequate for addressing the electrical and thermal emergency. Following a high-level energy coordination session, Zelenskyy rejected municipal assessments on Telegram.
"I do not agree with this assessment – additional measures and additional resources are needed," Zelenskyy said on Telegram following an energy coordination meeting.
The severity of the situation prompted national authorities to declare an emergency status across Ukraine's entire energy sector last week, triggered by severe weather compounded by systematic targeting of power facilities. The January 9 offensive left extensive portions of Kyiv in darkness.
Klitschko previously indicated that of 6,000 structures stripped of heating access during the January 9 assault, only 16 remained without service by Monday evening. However, fresh overnight bombardments Tuesday devastated progress, disconnecting over 5,600 high-rise residential buildings from thermal networks.
Denmark has committed DKK 150 million—approximately €20 million—in emergency energy assistance to Ukraine, Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on X, the social media platform. Shmyhal expressed gratitude to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen for the "steadfast support."
The allocated funds will channel through the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, protective equipment procurement via the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and distribution to emergency response organizations, Shmyhal explained.
Despite the grid's "extremely tense" condition, Shmyhal told the Emergency Situations Response Headquarters via Telegram that technical specialists are engineering solutions to replace chaotic emergency blackouts with "strict, but predictable schedules" within days.
Moscow has systematically escalated attacks against Ukraine's energy generation and transmission infrastructure throughout winter months, producing widespread electrical failures and heating system collapses in population centers nationwide.
Kyiv and allied governments continue pressing for enhanced air defense capabilities to shield vital infrastructure from sustained bombardment campaigns.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
