Ukraine’s President Zelensky announces a state of emergency for the energy sector and a coordination HQ for Kyiv after relentless Russian strikes cripple power and heating
KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a “state of emergency” will be declared in the country’s energy sector.
The announcement follows relentless Russian strikes on heat and electricity supplies during freezing winter temperatures.
“A permanent coordination headquarters will be established to address the situation in the city of Kyiv,” Zelensky said after holding a meeting.
He also ordered the government to scale up efforts to get support from allies and to deregulate backup energy supply.
“Work is also underway to significantly increase the volume of electricity imports into Ukraine,” the president added.
Some 400 housing blocks in Kyiv have been without heating for several days since a massive Russian salvo last Friday.
Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said the attack initially left half of the capital without heat and light.
“The situation in Kyiv is very difficult. A scale like this is the first in four years of full-scale war,” the mayor said on social media.
Temperatures in Kyiv were set to fall below -15C overnight.
“Residents currently have about three hours with electricity and up to ten — or in some places even more — without it,” he added.
Authorities in Kyiv and the surrounding region have rolled out emergency power cuts.
They said freezing temperatures were complicating their restoration work.
Since last Friday, authorities have set up 1,200 emergency warming centres across the capital.
These tents allow people to warm up, charge devices and get hot food and drink.
Klitschko earlier called on residents who were able to temporarily leave the city during restoration works.
