Russian armed forces have destroyed “critical energy infrastructure” in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, its mayor Ihor Terekhov said Thursday, as Moscow continues a campaign of strikes that has plunged millions of Ukrainians into darkness and cold.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who a day earlier criticized the recovery efforts in Kiev, continued efforts to repair the damage caused by the Russian strikes, organizing a council to speed up decision-making by local officials.
He stated that new strikes were reported in the capital last night.
Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko announced measures to deal with power and heating outages and to allow businesses and government institutions to import more energy. School holidays in Kyiv have been extended until February 1.
Russian armed forces are hitting the power grid and energy infrastructure while continuing to advance on the frontlines as Ukrainian armed forces are on the defensive as Washington pushes for a peace deal.
The mayor of Kharkiv, Terekhov, did not specify in his Telegram update what kind of infrastructure was affected, however, he assured that crews are working on a 24-hour basis to repair the damage.
Kharkiv, some 25 kilometers from the border with Russia, has been frequently hit by drones, missiles and bombs in the war, which will enter its fifth year next month.
According to regional governor Oleh Sinekhubov, the extent of the damage of yesterday’s attack is still being assessed.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sibikha said his services and those of the energy ministry had organized an appeal for funds to address problems in the energy sector with the input of Kiev’s allies, in a similar way to the supply of weapons and ammunition. Norway, he assured, pledged 200 million US dollars.
Power, heating and water outages have worsened over the past week amid a cold snap that was already straining infrastructure.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said yesterday that around 300 apartment buildings remain without heating since January 9, up from 6,000 initially.
Russian attacks on port infrastructure in Odessa have also intensified. A rocket strike yesterday injured one person and damaged containers in the city of Chornomorsk, according to Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba.
