From Le Figaro with AFP
Published yesterday at 8:26 p.m., updated yesterday at 8:52 p.m.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on November 26 that nearly 400 towns in Ukraine were without power due to harsh weather conditions. HANDOUT / AFP
Nearly 400 towns in Ukraine are without power due to “extremely difficult” weather conditions, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday, while Ukraine’s power system is threatened by Russian bombings.
Ukraine fears a new campaign of massive Russian attacks on its essential infrastructure this winter, like in 2022, when these attacks plunged millions of people into cold and darkness. “Extremely difficult weather conditions prevail in a large part of the territory of our country,” Volodymyr Zelensky said in his daily message.
According to him, around 400 towns in ten regions, especially in the south, are without electricity. “Our engineers will restore power as quickly as possible,” he promised, as the country struggles with wintry temperatures and snowstorms in places.
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: Kiev is already forced to import electricity
Temperature drop
National operator Ukrenergo reported on Thursday a “difficult” situation for the electricity network due to the increase in consumption linked to the drop in temperature. Ukrenergo had to resort to “emergency aid” on Wednesday by importing electricity from three neighboring EU countries: Romania, Slovakia and Poland.
And on Saturday, the Ukrainian capital became the target of the largest Russian drone strike since the start of the war, temporarily knocking out power to dozens of homes.
This airstrike could be the first in a new Russian bombing campaign. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky estimated in early October that Russia would try to “destroy” his country’s electricity system this winter. To counter this threat, Kiev is demanding new anti-aircraft systems from its Western allies.