Ukraine introduces a state of emergency in the energy sector. There is no electricity, heat and water

Ukraine is introducing a state of emergency in the energy sector after Russia's recent massive attacks on socially important infrastructure. A crisis headquarters will be established in Kiev, where there is a shortage of electricity, heat and water, said the country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, on Wednesday.

“The effects of the Russian strikes and the deterioration of weather conditions are serious. Renovation brigades, energy companies, municipal services and the State Service for Emergency Situations of Ukraine continue to work around the clock to restore electricity and heating supplies,” he wrote in the Telegram messenger.

Earlier in the day, the mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, assessed that the Ukrainian capital had not functioned in such extreme conditions since the outbreak of the full-scale war with Russia in February 2022.

The situation in the city, where it was minus 11 degrees Celsius outside on Wednesday evening, may be worsened by new Russian attacks targeting power plants and thermal power plants, the authorities fear. The temperature in the apartments is approximately 16 degrees Celsius.

After a meeting on the situation in the energy sector, Zelensky announced the establishment of a crisis headquarters in Kiev.

“In general, an emergency situation will be introduced in Ukraine's energy sector. The first deputy prime minister, the Minister of Energy of Ukraine (Denys Shmyhal, appointed on Wednesday) has been appointed to head the work related to helping people and communities in such conditions and solving practical issues,” he said.

The President announced that cooperation with foreign partners will be intensified to obtain the necessary equipment and additional support in the face of the current energy crisis. “We are also working to significantly increase the volume of electricity imports to Ukraine,” he said.

Zelensky announced that he had instructed the government to change the rules regarding the curfew in such frosty weather. “People must have maximum opportunities to use support points, and businesses must have the opportunity to plan their work taking into account the situation in the energy system. In Kiev, the number of Stability Points (heating points – PAP) is to be increased and the existing ones are to be inspected. We expect proposals from the Ministry of Education and Science and local authorities regarding the formats of the teaching process for the duration of the emergency,” the Ukrainian president emphasized.

From Kiev Jarosław Junko (PAP)

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