War in Ukraine: Recent Russian strikes caused 'considerable damage' to power grid, says Volodymyr Zelensky

Recent Russian bombings in Ukraine have caused “considerable damage” to the national electricity network, President Volodymyr Zelensky lamented on Friday October 9, raising fears once again of a very difficult winter for the population.

“Unfortunately, power networks and electricity transmission facilities suffered considerable damage. The rehabilitation work continues day and night,” Volodymyr Zelensky said on his social networks. In recent days, following Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, authorities have introduced emergency power cuts and restrictions in several regions.

Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that kyiv would transmit to its foreign partners updated information on its needs for “energy equipment” and “anti-aircraft defense” means. The Ukrainian leader also denounced delays in the implementation, by local Ukrainian authorities, of “resilience plans” supposed to defend essential infrastructure and maintain their activity. “Slowing down the progress of this work is absolutely unacceptable, and those responsible for the Ministry of Infrastructure as well as regional administrations bear personal responsibility,” he said.

“The kyiv authorities failed to take the necessary measures”

Volodymyr Zelensky particularly attacked the kyiv municipality headed by Vitali Klitschko, with whom the Ukrainian president maintains conflicting relations. “We also set specific tasks for kyiv since the municipal authorities almost completely failed to take the necessary measures,” said Volodymyr Zelensky. On Thursday, Vitali Klitschko told AFP that kyiv was setting up emergency heating systems and building up stocks of fuel, food and drinking water to cope with possible prolonged disruptions this winter. “No matter how much we prepare, if air defense doesn't work, we could end up with a bad scenario,” he said.