Zelenskyy Declares Emergency After Russian Attacks Cut Heat and Power
Zelenskyy declares emergency in Kyiv as Russian attacks leave thousands without heat or electricity in -19°C winter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in Kyiv after successive Russian drone and missile strikes damaged the city’s critical infrastructure, leaving thousands of homes without electricity and heating amid freezing winter temperatures. The president described the situation as “severe,” urging government officials to coordinate emergency relief measures.
In a statement on X, Zelenskyy highlighted that repair crews, energy companies, municipal services, and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine were working round the clock to restore power and heating. He also instructed authorities to review curfew restrictions to alleviate hardships caused by the intense cold, with temperatures in Kyiv dropping as low as minus 19 degrees Celsius in recent days.
City officials reported that 471 apartment buildings remained without heat nearly a week after the attacks. Kyiv’s Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, stated that almost 6,000 homes were affected by the strikes, describing the damage as a result of a “massive attack” targeting the capital’s critical energy infrastructure.
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The attacks reflect a broader trend in the ongoing four-year conflict, with both Moscow and Kyiv striking each other’s civilian energy networks, including oil refineries, gas pipelines, and power stations. In Russia-controlled Zaporizhzhia, local authorities reported that over 3,000 residents were living without electricity following similar strikes on energy facilities.
The conflict has also escalated in international waters. On Tuesday, drone strikes hit two oil tankers in the Black Sea, reportedly linked to the US oil giant Chevron. Kazakhstan confirmed that three tankers en route to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal were damaged, warning that repeated attacks threaten oil supply and maritime trade, and called on the US and Europe to ensure safe passage.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis have so far failed. A US-proposed 20-point peace plan has been rejected by both sides, with Ukraine refusing to cede territory to Russia and Moscow rejecting the deployment of an international peacekeeping force. The standoff underscores the ongoing volatility in the region, with civilians bearing the brunt of the humanitarian impact.
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