With targeted strikes in recent weeks, Russia has destroyed significant parts of Ukraine's power generation capacities. Kiev's head of state Zelenskyy announced that every effort would be made to repair it. But shutdowns are inevitable.
The massive damage to its energy grids is forcing Ukraine to implement nationwide power cuts. President Volodymyr Zelenskyj called on citizens to help. "We will do everything we can to restore our country's normal energy supply," he said in his video address. "But it takes time and our joint efforts with you." According to the latest information from the government in Kyiv, Russian missile and drone attacks have damaged 40 percent of the energy infrastructure in the past few days.
The population was asked to consume as little electricity as possible between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. local time (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CEST) on Thursday. In addition, the electricity in each area will be switched off for up to four hours at different times, said the utility Ukrenerho. The reason for the restrictions is a lack of power in the system. "We do not rule out that we will ask for your help more often with the onset of the cold," it said. "Please do not turn on any unnecessary electronic devices!" Zelenskyy asked. The time for shutdowns to stabilize the grid will be all the shorter.
As the head of state said, the country is making progress in defending against Iranian-made Russian drones. In October alone, 233 Shahed-136 drones were shot down. Unfortunately, three energy supply objects were also destroyed on Wednesday. Work is underway to provide mobile power sources for critical infrastructure in cities, towns and villages, he said. Zelenskyj also wants to address the topic of the energy crisis when he participates via video at today's EU summit. Ukraine hopes that foreign partners will give it generators.
