Fierce fight between Zelensky and Klitschko. Cold and dark in Kiev
The president of Ukraine criticizes the capital's authorities for not preparing for winter, while the mayor of Kiev points to Russian attacks and the political basis of the accusations.
Quick Look
- President Zelensky criticized the Kiev authorities for not preparing the city for the heating season in the face of Russian attacks.
- Mayor Vitali Klitschko rejects the allegations, pointing to the lack of infrastructure protection and the political background of the protests.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Ukraine is struggling with Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, which leads to interruptions in electricity and water supplies. A political dispute between the presidential administration and the city authorities is growing in Kiev.
"The most difficult situation is in Kiev: residents and companies are struggling with long-term interruptions in electricity and water supplies, and the challenges are very serious. In fact, this is a consequence of the failure to implement decisions at the city level regarding preparations for the heating season, as well as the Russian operation targeting the Ukrainian energy sector," President Zelensky wrote on his social media.
The president announced that the government is providing additional resources that can help solve the problem. He added that state support includes, among others: equipment supplies.
Zelensky also announced arrangements with Germany and Spain regarding the supply of necessary generators, cables and other equipment.
Separately, the authorities in Kiev talked to representatives of state and private energy companies. These talks concerned the need to deploy additional crews and speed up repairs.
Klitschko denies the allegations
On Friday, the mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, stated that an energy team responsible for securing the city's functioning has been operating in the capital since spring. He added that the city authorities engaged experts, energy specialists, practitioners and scientists to work in this body. The staff has developed possible actions in the event of various scenarios of the situation.
Klitschko noted that with such intense Russian attacks, without the protection of key facilities by air defense systems, their reconstruction, stable functioning and even their very existence are in serious doubt.
They demand Klitschko's resignation
Zelensky has previously accused the Kiev authorities of completely failing to take the necessary steps to implement the city's resilience plans in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
On October 17, on Khreshchatyk Street, in front of the building of the Kyiv Municipal State Administration, a demonstration was held, the participants of which demanded the resignation of the mayor of the capital, Vitali Klitschko.
The protesters pointed to the lack of mobile and stationary shelters, the lack of alternative power supply to water and heat supply systems and the sewage system, as well as the ineffective actions to remove the effects of the damage and help the injured. There were also allegations against the mayor's team regarding corruption and favoring the interests of developers.
Klitschko then said that the central authorities were the "principals" and "scriptwriters" of the demonstration during which his resignation was demanded.
Difficult situation in Kiev
The energy situation in Kiev has been very difficult in recent weeks. There are emergency power outages in the city. In some districts of the capital, electricity is supplied for only two to three hours a day.
On Tuesday evening, trams and trolleybuses stopped in Kiev.
Open Questions
- Will there be a formal resignation of the mayor of Kiev?
- What specific steps will the government take to repair infrastructure?
