Ukraine has declared a state of emergency in the country's energy sector, with responsibility keenly focused 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 -20°C.
The declaration follows statements from Zelensky regarding the stalled peace negotiations, notably highlighting that information from recent discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump indicated Ukraine's less favorable position in negotiations compared to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump remarked that the current state of talks is hindered, citing Zelensky as an obstacle to achieving a resolution.
In light of recent Russian attacks that left vast portions of Kyiv without heating and water, Zelensky announced the formation of a round-the-clock task force aimed at repairing damages from the strikes and combatting worsening winter conditions.
The government plans to acquire vital energy equipment from abroad and increase the number of emergency assistance points to provide warmth and electricity for residents, potentially relaxing the ongoing midnight curfew.
As the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion approaches, DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy operator, is in a constant state of crisis. CEO Maxim Timchenko noted that Russian air strikes have persistently targeted energy infrastructure, leaving them unable to recuperate effectively.
The humanitarian situation remains dire, with over a million citizens in southeastern Ukraine enduring extensive outages due to similar strikes.
