Home / War and Conflict / Kiev Freezes: City Appeals for Evacuation Amid Energy Crisis
Kiev Freezes: City Appeals for Evacuation Amid Energy Crisis
17 Jan
Summary
- Kiev faces unprecedented cold with widespread heating and electricity outages.
- Russian strikes have crippled energy infrastructure, impacting millions.
- Mayor Klitschko urged residents to leave the Ukrainian capital.
The Ukrainian capital, Kiev, is grappling with a severe energy crisis, prompting Mayor Vitaly Klitschko to appeal for residents to leave if they can. Widespread heating and electricity outages are impacting the city amidst freezing temperatures, a situation described as unprecedented in its history. Waves of Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are the primary cause of the shortages.
The crisis has left households without mains electricity for up to 20 hours daily, and approximately 6,000 apartment buildings are without heating. Overnight temperatures have dropped to around minus 17 degrees Celsius, exacerbating the strain on the city's energy system. This situation has also fueled a public dispute between Mayor Klitschko and President Vladimir Zelensky, with the latter criticizing Kiev's response to the crisis.
