Over 1,000 Kyiv Buildings Lack Heat After Russian Missile Strikes

More than 1,000 apartment buildings in Kyiv remain without heating following a severe Russian missile attack earlier this week. Local authorities reported on Sunday that the city’s energy infrastructure has been heavily impacted as Russia escalates its bombardments of Ukraine’s energy system. This renewed wave of attacks comes in the context of ongoing conflict that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the scale of the assaults, indicating that Russia had deployed approximately 1,100 drones, over 890 guided aerial bombs, and more than 50 missiles, including various types of ballistic and cruise missiles, against Ukraine in the past week. The missile strike on Friday caused widespread power outages across the capital, leaving residents in the midst of a harsh cold snap.

Emergency Response Amid Freezing Conditions

The attack has significantly affected the city’s heating and power supply, with temperatures dropping below –12°C and projected to reach –20°C later this week. Although water supplies have been partially restored, the situation remains critical. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated via the Telegram messaging service that restoration efforts are ongoing but acknowledged the severe challenges posed by the freezing conditions.

Zelenskyy condemned the timing of the attacks, asserting that Russia deliberately chose to strike during the cold weather to exacerbate the suffering of civilians. He characterized the bombardments as “a cynical Russian terror specifically against civilians.”

Ongoing Attacks on Infrastructure

The Ukrainian Energy Ministry reported that Russian forces continued their offensive during the night, leading to temporary power cuts in the southeastern regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko noted that there had not been a single day without attacks on energy facilities and critical infrastructure, with a total of 44 attacks recorded that week.

Svyrydenko expressed optimism regarding the restoration of services, stating that while significant improvements in Kyiv would take time, the situation could see notable progress by Thursday.

Residents are facing dire circumstances as they cope with the loss of essential services. For instance, Sergiy Przhistovskiy shared his experience of living without water and heat after a drone strike damaged his apartment building. He has resorted to melting snow for water, highlighting the harsh realities many are enduring in the aftermath of the attacks.

As restoration efforts continue, the Ukrainian government remains focused on securing the energy supply and protecting civilians against the backdrop of an unrelenting conflict.