Zelenskyy Holds Emergency Meeting on Power Grid, Focusing on Kyiv and Six Regions

Ukrainian President Holds Emergency Energy Meeting

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened a meeting on January 26 to address the critical state of the energy system in several regions. The discussion centered on urgent measures to restore heating in Kyiv, ensure civilian supplies, and protect infrastructure. The situation has been severely exacerbated by recent Russian overnight strikes, which left consumers in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions without power. These attacks are part of a sustained Russian campaign targeting Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure, especially during the harsh winter months.

Critical Regions and Planned Actions

The meeting identified the areas with the most severe energy system challenges: Kyiv and the Kyiv region, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia. In Kyiv alone, over 1,200 apartment buildings remain without heating. The capital received particular focus, with the most difficult conditions reported in districts on the left bank of the Dnipro River, specifically Darnytsia.

President Zelenskyy stressed the urgent need to accelerate efforts to restore heating. He outlined a clear sequence of steps to resolve the crisis and demanded reports on realistic timelines for implementing these measures.

“The circumstances are extremely difficult: more than 1,200 apartment buildings in the city are still without heating... All the deadlines discussed so far are unsatisfactory – we must act faster.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Furthermore, Zelenskyy instructed the Prime Minister of Ukraine, together with the Finance Minister, to analyze options for the urgent procurement of resources needed for alternative electricity and heat generation. The Minister of Energy was tasked with working closely with international partners and local authorities to secure additional support.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to all those involved in repair efforts: “I thank everyone currently engaged in restoration work, those in repair crews, and those at energy facilities. The expertise of our energy workers, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and many repair teams is unprecedented.” He emphasized the importance of professionalism at all levels of regional and local leadership.

The situation in Ukraine's energy grid remains tense, particularly during winter when demand for heating peaks. The meeting's outcomes highlight the immediate necessity of measures to provide the population with electricity and heat, as well as the critical importance of coordination with local governments and international partners. Restoring energy infrastructure is a paramount state priority amid the ongoing conflict and persistent threats from Russia.