Emergency power outages continue in Kyiv after Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, leaving dozens of buildings without heating as residents rely on points of resilience for warmth, food, and charging devices.
In Kyiv, emergency power outages continue. There are buildings in the city without heating due to the consequences of Russian attacks as well as local accidents. More than two thousand heating points have been set up in the capital. There, people can warm up, have a cup of hot tea, and charge their phones.
Suspilne correspondents checked how the points of resilience are currently operating.
One of the points of resilience is operating at School No. 10 in the Darnytskyi district of the city. It is the closest point for residents of buildings on Kamianska Street, whose inhabitants have been living without heating for more than a week.
Two days ago, the head of the Darnytskyi district, Oleksandr Kovtunov, reported that two powerful generators had been delivered to restore electricity supply to buildings 123, 125-h, 126-b, 127, and 127-a.
“This is a critically necessary step, as within a week since the attack the building has cooled down to 0 degrees,” Kovtunov noted.
The point of resilience set up at the school is equipped with two generators. It is warm there, and there is an electric kettle as well as supplies of drinking and technical water.
“We also have another hall in case people need to stay overnight — in that hall, they can lie down. I believe there is practically everything a person needs to stay, have some tea, and make instant noodles. The point of resilience operates around the clock. You can come at night, during the day, and we also work on weekends,” said Mykola Hrynko, Deputy Director for Administrative and Maintenance Affairs.
Another heating point is located in the Parkovi Ozera residential complex in the Dniprovskyi district of the city. It was set up by the State Emergency Service. In total, there are two tents, but currently only one is operating because there are no people at the moment. Rescuers said that about 300 people come during the day, usually after work.
A local resident, Tetiana, said that it is very cold in her apartment, and she has to wear three sweaters at once. She also cannot cook food because her stove is electric.
“It’s cold in our building, I caught a cold. At home, we have 5 degrees Celsius. They’ve already fed me here three times. I came here for the first time when there was bograch. I came yesterday as well — they gave me hot borshch,” Tetiana said.
Another point of resilience in Kyiv’s Dniprovskyi district operates around the clock at Gymnasium No. 201. Overall, it can accommodate up to 180 people. The point is equipped with uninterruptible power supply batteries, and if electricity is out for more than 10 hours, a generator is switched on.
“In addition to seating, we have folding beds, sleeping mats, and mattresses. We have blankets and throws. There is an opportunity to make tea and coffee and to charge gadgets,” said Hanna Hmyria, the gymnasium’s principal.
As of the evening of January 18, following Russia’s attack on energy infrastructure on January 9, heating has still not been restored to 30 buildings in the capital. Over the past 24 hours, local accidents occurred in more than 100 apartment buildings, leaving them without heat as well, reported Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities and Territories Development.
“Utility services continue working to restore heating to buildings that were left without heat after the January 9 attack on the capital. Out of 6,000 buildings, heating is still being restored to up to 32 apartment buildings where the work is most complex. The majority of these buildings are in the Holosiivskyi district,” Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klychko said.
Suspilne has compiled information on how to find a heating point in Kyiv and learn how well it is equipped. Overall, more than 2,000 such points have been set up in the city, and they are guarded by police around the clock.
What Is the Situation With Electricity and Heating in Kyiv and the Region
On January 15, President Zelenskyy held an energy coordination call with representatives of the government and regional and local authorities of Kyiv and the Kyiv region, as well as Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions. Following the meeting, the government set up a task force for the capital to address the consequences of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko stated that all regional military administrations and the Kyiv City Military Administration had received an order to reduce electricity consumption within 24 hours. The 112 hotline is operating around the clock to receive reports about the absence of heating, water, or electricity.
Svyrydenko also noted that due to the difficult energy situation, Kyiv educational institutions should extend or introduce winter holidays until February 1. The Kyiv Defense Council announced school holidays from January 19 to February 1. At the same time, winter school holidays will not be extended in the Kyiv region: students there will return to classes on Monday, January 19.
On January 16, the capital held a second meeting of the Task Force for Eliminating the Consequences of an Emergency Situation in the electricity systems of Kyiv and the region. Following the meeting, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said that Kyiv residents should be able to reach points of resilience without obstacles, despite the curfew. The next day, the City Defense Council decided that the curfew would remain in effect, but exceptions would be introduced for residents. From now on, during curfew hours, people are allowed to travel on foot or by private transport, including taxis, to their homes or to points of resilience.
In Kyiv, 155 boiler houses are operating, providing residents with heating and hot water. In addition, five cogeneration units for the production of heat and electricity have been installed in the city. Two of these mini combined heat and power plants are already operating.
In the Kyiv region, 456 points of resilience and more than 50 cogeneration units are operating. In the Boryspil area, the charitable food truck “Food Without Borders” has begun operating. There, people can also warm up, charge their gadgets, and receive basic support.
