In brief
In a decisive move, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared an energy emergency as the nation faces severe winter temperatures plunging to -20C, compounded by relentless assaults from Russian forces that have left thousands without power. The declaration underscores the urgent need for enhanced support systems for affected residents, including a task force to address damage and procure necessary resources. The situation is dire for millions facing energy shortages during one of the coldest seasons, as efforts to negotiate peace continue to stall amidst international tensions.
Ukraine has declared a state of emergency in the country's energy sector, with a particular focus on Kyiv, as ongoing Russian strikes continue to leave thousands of residents without power. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of deliberately exploiting the harsh winter conditions as part of its war strategy, with overnight temperatures in Kyiv recently dropping to around -20C.
The declaration comes as Zelensky's US counterpart Donald Trump said he was holding up efforts to secure a peace deal to end nearly four years of war with Russia. He told the Reuters news agency on Wednesday that Ukraine is less ready to make a deal than Russian president Vladimir Putin.
When asked why peace talks have not yet resolved the conflict, Trump responded: Zelensky. The two leaders are both expected to attend the World Economic Forum in Switzerland next week, although Trump suggested no formal plans were arranged for them to meet.
In recent weeks, Russian attacks on Kyiv have left thousands of homes without regular power, heating, or running water. After one particularly heavy night of missile and drone attacks last week, 70% of the capital was left without power for several hours.
Following a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Zelensky said a round-the-clock task force would be set up to fix damage caused by Russian strikes and worsening weather conditions. He said the new measures would include procuring vital energy equipment and resources from abroad to replace damaged installations. The First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Energy of Ukraine has been assigned to oversee work supporting people and communities under these conditions, he wrote on X.
He also ordered an increase in the number of emergency help points around Kyiv to provide heat and power for residents, a move which could see a relaxing of the current midnight curfew in the capital.
Russian attacks on energy infrastructure have not been limited to the capital. Last week, Ukrainian officials said that more than one million people in south-eastern Ukraine spent hours without heating and water supplies as a result of Russian air strikes. DTEK, Ukraine's biggest private energy provider, is living in permanent crisis mode because of Russian attacks on the grid, its CEO, Maxim Timchenko, told the BBC last month.
As the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion approaches, Timchenko said Russia had repeatedly targeted DTEK's energy grid with waves of drones, cruise and ballistic missiles and the company had found it difficult to cope. He added that the intensity of strikes had been so frequent we just don't have time to recover. DTEK currently provides power for 5.6 million Ukrainians.
