Zelenskyy to declare state of emergency for Ukraine's energy sector

Zelenskyy to declare state of emergency for Ukraine's energy sector

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has moved to impose a state of emergency on the country's beleaguered energy infrastructure. The extraordinary measure is a response to the compounded crisis of relentless Russian attacks and extreme cold weather that has crippled power and heating supplies.

A crisis driven by war and winter

Following a government meeting, Zelenskyy stated that the combined impact of Russian strikes and "deteriorating weather conditions" has led to severe consequences, leaving much of Kyiv without electricity. Authorities are conducting round-the-clock repair operations to restore essential services to the population during a dangerous cold snap.

Establishing a new command structure

To manage the escalating situation, the president announced the creation of a permanent coordination headquarters specifically for the capital. He has tasked the national energy minister with overseeing support for affected citizens and communities and addressing immediate practical issues. Additionally, the government is preparing to review curfew regulations to account for the extreme weather and humanitarian needs.

Measures to secure additional power

In a bid to alleviate the shortage, work is underway to "significantly" increase the volume of electricity imports into Ukraine. This effort highlights the critical strain on domestic generation capacity after years of targeted attacks on energy facilities. For neighboring nations like Türkiye, which support Ukraine's sovereignty, the declaration underscores the war's severe impact on civilian infrastructure and the growing humanitarian challenges as winter deepens.