Kyiv is facing an extremely difficult situation as it confronts the most severe energy crisis of wartime, following repeated Russian attacks on the city’s power infrastructure. The consequences are evident, with significant shortages of electricity and heating for residents.
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According to statements by the Ukrainian capital’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, to Reuters today (16/1), the city has only about 50% of the electrical power required to meet citizens’ needs. Kyiv needs approximately 1,700 megawatts of electricity to power services and infrastructure for its 3.6 million residents.
Klitschko: “For the first time amid such bitter cold, most of the city has been left without heating,” says Kyiv’s mayor
The mayor emphasized that the current energy crisis represents the greatest challenge for the capital since the start of the Russian invasion almost four years ago. “It is the first time in our city’s history that, amid such bitter cold, most of the city has been left without heating and with a massive shortage of electrical power,” Klitschko stated characteristically, describing the critical situation facing Kyiv.
Klitschko declared that Ukraine’s international partners rushed to deploy additional generators and crews are working around the clock to repair damage and restore heating after last week’s Russian raid that cut off supply to 6,000 apartment buildings.
About 100 buildings still remain without heating, he said subsequently.
Ukraine declared a state of energy emergency this week as its grid faces collapse due to Russian bombardments, extremely low temperatures, and accumulated damage from the war.
