Emergency Meeting on Attack Aftermath
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened an urgent meeting on February 7 to address the aftermath of a massive Russian strike on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The discussions focused on the critical situation in Kyiv and the Kherson region, the status of nuclear power plants, and the urgent need for air defense missile supplies. These attacks are part of a sustained Russian campaign to cripple Ukraine's power grid during winter.
The most severe crisis is in Kyiv, where over 1,400 apartment buildings have lost heating. In response, the capital's 'warmth package' aid program will distribute 40,000 such packages to support affected residents. President Zelenskyy stressed the necessity of providing all necessary assistance to those left without heat.
The meeting also included a report from the Energy Minister on the condition of nuclear facilities following attacks on key substations. Zelenskyy emphasized that nuclear generation sites remain constant targets for the Russian military, demanding enhanced protective measures. He highlighted the critical need for communication with international partners to ensure safety in this sector.
Directives for System Restoration
President Zelenskyy instructed the Ministry of Defense and the Air Force to enforce a strict schedule for the delivery of air defense missiles from allied nations. He stated that all state institutions must be fully engaged to accelerate these supplies. Zelenskyy underscored the importance of a decisive response to every Russian attempt to break Ukraine and its people.
Beyond Kyiv, the situation in six settlements in the Kherson region was discussed, where constant drone strikes have caused significant complications. Due to hostilities, consumers in the Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv regions have been partially disconnected from power. Emergency repair work on energy facilities is ongoing, and regional authorities must implement additional measures to restore electricity supply.
Overall, reports were received on the situation in the regions of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kropyvnytskyi, as well as Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Lviv, and Chernivtsi. The President expressed gratitude to all those working to scale up cross-border cooperation with Romania to increase electricity imports into Ukraine.
This meeting underscores the vital coordination required among state institutions to overcome the effects of Russian attacks, which are inflicting severe damage on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Providing heat to Kyiv residents and other affected areas, alongside protecting nuclear power plants, are critical tasks amid the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, active engagement with international partners on defense supplies highlights Ukraine's strategic approach to securing its energy stability and national interests.