Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued urgent orders to ramp up electricity imports and secure more emergency equipment from allied nations, as the country grapples with a debilitating energy crisis. The call to action came during a special coordination meeting focused on the energy sector this past Saturday.
The Scale of the Emergency
The president’s directive follows the Ukrainian government’s declaration of a state of emergency across its energy system. This crisis was triggered by a combination of severe winter conditions and a series of targeted Russian missile and drone strikes, most notably a major attack on January 9th. The assault on infrastructure left large portions of the capital, Kyiv, without electricity and exposed to freezing temperatures.
Critical Situations in Key Regions
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Zelenskyy highlighted that the most severe situations are currently in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. He noted particular challenges for suburbs like Hostomel, Bucha, and Irpin near Kyiv following fresh attacks. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that approximately 50 apartment buildings in the capital still lacked heating as of Saturday, after nearly 6,000 were initially affected, prompting earlier appeals for some residents to evacuate temporarily.
Addressing Reporting Discrepancies
Zelenskyy also pointed to inconsistencies in damage assessments, ordering a separate review in Kyiv regarding buildings without heat. He indicated there were discrepancies between municipal and national government reports on the numbers affected. Emphasizing the need for swift action, the president stated that all necessary decisions are already prepared and that increasing power imports must proceed without any delay to stabilize the crippled grid and support Ukrainian civilians through the winter.