Jan 14 (Reuters) – President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday he would declare a state of emergency in the energy sector to tackle issues with disrupted power supplies following sustained Russian attacks on infrastructure.
Zelenskiy acted as emergency crews proceeded with round-the-clock efforts to restore power and heating supplies thrown into disarray, particularly in Kyiv, by a Russian attack last week. Repairs have been compounded by frigid weather, with night-time temperatures dipping close to -20 Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit).
“The consequences of Russian strikes and deteriorating weather conditions are severe,” Zelenskiy wrote in English on the X social media platform.
“Overall, a state of emergency will be declared for Ukraine’s energy sector … Many issues require urgent resolution.”
Zelenskiy said a permanent coordination headquarters would be set up in Kyiv, with Denys Shmyhal, first deputy prime minister and newly appointed energy minister, overseeing the work.
He said work was underway “to significantly increase the volume of electricity imports into Ukraine”.
(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Yuliia Dysa; editing by Mark Heinrich)