Kharkiv Prepares for a Critical Winter Under Fire
Mayor Ihor Terekhov has warned that Kharkiv is facing its most difficult winter since Russia's full-scale invasion began. In an interview with Glavcom, he explained that changes in Russian military tactics are severely hampering efforts to repair the city's energy and heating infrastructure. This northeastern Ukrainian city, a frequent target due to its proximity to the border, is now in a race to save its central heating system before temperatures plummet further.
Terekhov noted that Russian forces have shifted from indiscriminate shelling to precise, targeted strikes. This winter, their focus is squarely on the energy sector, leaving tens of thousands of Kharkiv residents without heat or power. Tragically, some of the damaged buildings are now beyond repair.
The mayor also revealed that damage to the heating network will force the draining of coolant from one of the city's largest combined heat and power plants (CHPP). In mid-January, following a missile strike, the city's heating system faced a catastrophic failure.
"It was a matter of minutes, not hours—a question of life or death for the entire city's heating system," Terekhov emphasized.
The Struggles of a Wartime Winter
Terekhov stated that he had foreseen the severity of this winter, having warned about it last autumn and even comparing it to the difficult winter of 2022, which required unconventional technical solutions. Utility workers are now overhauling the supply system, decentralizing it and implementing new measures to provide warmth for citizens.
The situation in Kharkiv is no less dramatic than in the capital, Kyiv, according to the mayor. He expressed solidarity with his colleagues and Kyiv's residents, stressing that all of Ukraine is enduring the same crisis.
"There are emergency blackout schedules and planned outage schedules… This is, unfortunately, our reality. But people must understand the price being paid to keep this system operational," Terekhov concluded.
The winter crisis in Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities underscores the critical vulnerability of energy infrastructure during war. Attacks on key heating system components threaten not just comfort but the very survival of residents. Municipal authorities are forced to take urgent measures to provide heat and electricity, demanding extra resources and constant adaptation. In wartime, it is crucial for society to recognize the immense effort and sacrifice required to sustain city life under relentless assault.