Ukraine has declared a nationwide energy emergency as extreme winter weather combines with continued Russian strikes on power infrastructure, leaving large numbers of residents without electricity, heating and water. The situation is particularly severe in the capital, Kyiv, where temperatures have recently fallen close to minus 20 degrees Celsius.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was deliberately exploiting freezing conditions as part of its military strategy. He accused Moscow of intensifying attacks on energy facilities to increase pressure on civilians during the coldest period of winter.
The emergency declaration follows weeks of sustained missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s power grid. Ukrainian officials said that after a heavy overnight barrage last week, around 70 percent of Kyiv temporarily lost electricity, affecting heating systems and water supplies across the city.
Energy crisis deepens in the capital
After convening an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Zelensky announced the creation of a round-the-clock task force to respond to damage caused by both Russian attacks and extreme weather. The group has been instructed to accelerate repairs, restore essential services and coordinate international assistance.
The government also plans to secure critical energy equipment and spare parts from abroad to replace destroyed infrastructure. Zelensky said the First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister would personally oversee support efforts for communities facing prolonged outages.
In addition, authorities are expanding emergency heating and power centres across Kyiv to provide shelter and basic services for residents. Officials are also considering easing the city’s midnight curfew to allow people easier access to assistance points during overnight hours.
Wider impact beyond Kyiv
The disruption has not been limited to the capital. Ukrainian officials reported that more than one million people in south-eastern regions were left without heating or running water for several hours following recent air strikes.
DTEK, the country’s largest private energy company, said it has been operating in near-constant crisis mode. Its chief executive, Maxim Timchenko, told the BBC last month that repeated waves of drones and missiles had severely damaged the grid and left little time for recovery between attacks. DTEK currently supplies electricity to about 5.6 million people.
Timchenko warned that the frequency and scale of strikes have made long-term repairs extremely difficult, especially as winter demand for power continues to rise.
Diplomatic tensions over peace talks
The energy emergency comes amid renewed diplomatic friction over stalled peace efforts. US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that progress toward ending the war had been delayed, suggesting Ukraine was less prepared to compromise than Russia.
Speaking to Reuters, Trump said President Zelensky was a key reason talks had not yet produced results. His remarks were welcomed by the Kremlin, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that Vladimir Putin and the Russian leadership remained open to negotiations.
Both Trump and Zelensky are expected to attend the upcoming World Economic Forum in Switzerland, although Trump indicated there were no confirmed plans for a bilateral meeting.
War enters a critical winter phase
As Ukraine approaches the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the combination of harsh weather and targeted strikes on energy infrastructure is placing growing strain on the country. Officials say keeping power and heating systems running has become one of the most urgent challenges of the winter.
Zelensky has repeatedly warned that attacks on civilian energy networks are intended to weaken morale and disrupt daily life. With temperatures remaining well below freezing, authorities say restoring and protecting energy supplies will remain a top national priority in the weeks ahead.