Ukraine war: Kyiv readies for ‘worst winter of our lives’
- Ukraine’s state-owned grid operator reported 40 per cent of Ukrainians were experiencing difficulties, due to damage to at least 15 major energy hubs
- Electricity outages could last anywhere from several hours to several days, the power network said
When the power is out, as it so often is, the high-rise flat overlooking Ukraine’s war-torn capital feels like a deathtrap. No lights, no water, no way to cook food. And no lift by which to escape from the 21st floor should a Russian missile strike. Even when electricity comes back, it’s never on for long.
“Our building is the highest in the area and is a great target for Russian missiles, so we left our flat for our parents’ place and are preparing for the worst winter of our lives,” said the 25-year-old.
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Russia fires nearly 100 missiles at Ukraine in a day, causing widespread power outages
The situation in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and other major cities has deteriorated drastically following the largest missile attack on the country’s power grid on Tuesday. Ukrainian state-owned grid operator Ukrenergo reported that 40 per cent of Ukrainians were experiencing difficulties, due to damage to at least 15 major energy hubs across the country.
Warning that electricity outages could last anywhere from several hours to several days, the network said that “resilience and courage are what we need this winter.”
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, too, stressed the need to be ready and resilient in the face of a potential blackout: “Worst case scenario. Actually, I don’t like to talk about that, but I have to be prepared if we [do not] have electricity, blackout, no water, no heating, no services and no communication,” Klitschko told Associated Press on Friday.
Ukrenergo said in a statement that “thousands of kilometres of key high-voltage lines are not working,” affecting the entire country.