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Nearly 60% of Kyiv Without Power as Winter Cold Intensifies Ukraine Crisis
About 4,000 buildings in Kyiv are without heat and nearly 60% of the Ukrainian capital lacks power following days of Russian bombardment targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported Wednesday. The crisis comes as temperatures in Kyiv have plunged to minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit) in one of the region’s coldest winters in years.
The extreme weather is exacerbating the suffering of Ukrainians nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, as U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue with limited progress.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland that he will meet with Zelenskyy on Thursday, expressing his desire to halt the conflict. “I want to stop it,” Trump stated. “It’s a horrible war.”
Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed to The Associated Press that he plans to discuss peace proposals with Russian President Vladimir Putin and hold separate talks with a Ukrainian delegation. “We need a peace,” Witkoff emphasized during his appearance at Davos.
Putin later confirmed that Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected in Moscow on Thursday for talks. The Russian leader mentioned discussions between Moscow and Washington about potentially using Russian assets frozen in the U.S. for rebuilding “territories damaged by the hostilities” after a peace agreement is reached.
Despite these diplomatic movements, the Trump administration’s yearlong push to end the fighting has not produced a breakthrough, even after the American president issued a series of deadlines.
Zelenskyy had previously stated his envoys would work with U.S. officials to finalize documents for a proposed peace settlement addressing postwar security guarantees and economic recovery. While he initially suggested these documents might be signed at Davos, Zelenskyy later announced he would not travel to Switzerland, instead focusing on Ukraine’s power restoration efforts.
To address the energy crisis, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers is allocating 2.56 billion hryvnias (approximately $60 million) from a reserve fund to purchase generators, according to Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte urged the alliance’s military chiefs on Wednesday to pressure their governments to supply Ukraine with critically needed air defense systems. “Please use your influence to help your political masters to do even more,” Rutte said in a video message to top military officials meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
“Look deep into your stockpiles to see what more you can give to Ukraine, particularly air defense interceptors. The time really is now,” he added.
The plea comes as Russian aerial attacks continue unabated. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 97 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukraine overnight. In the central Dnipropetrovsk region, these attacks killed a 77-year-old man and a 72-year-old woman, according to Oleksandr Hanzha, head of the regional military administration.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its air defenses downed 75 Ukrainian drones over several regions. The international airports of Krasnodar, Sochi, Gelendzhik, and Saratov briefly suspended flights overnight due to drone activity.
In Adygea, more than 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the Ukrainian border, a Ukrainian drone reportedly caused an apartment building fire that injured 11 people, including two children, according to Governor Murat Kumpilov.
The intensifying attacks on energy infrastructure, combined with the brutal winter conditions, represent a significant humanitarian challenge for Ukraine as the war approaches its four-year mark. While diplomatic efforts continue on multiple fronts, the immediate crisis of keeping millions of civilians warm and safe remains the most pressing concern for Ukrainian authorities.
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12 Comments
The Ukrainian people have endured so much over the past year. I sincerely hope the diplomatic efforts can finally make headway in bringing this conflict to an end.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is deeply concerning, especially as civilians face such harsh winter conditions. I hope the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy can lead to meaningful progress towards a peaceful resolution.
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure are clearly causing immense hardship for the people. It’s critical that diplomatic efforts continue to find a way to end this devastating conflict.
Agreed. The suffering of the Ukrainian people is heartbreaking, and a peaceful solution must be found as soon as possible.
With temperatures plunging and power/heat disruptions, the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is dire. I hope the international community can come together to provide urgent aid and support.
The ongoing battle for energy infrastructure in Ukraine is deeply concerning. I wonder what specific proposals the US special envoy plans to discuss with Putin and the Ukrainian delegation.
That’s a good question. Any peace proposals need to prioritize the wellbeing of Ukrainian civilians who are bearing the brunt of this conflict.
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid are a clear attempt to demoralize and punish the civilian population. This is a grave violation of international law that must be condemned.
Absolutely. The targeting of critical infrastructure that leaves people without heat and power in freezing temperatures is a war crime that cannot be ignored.
It’s encouraging to see high-level engagement on finding a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine. Protecting civilians must be the top priority as the winter crisis deepens.
It’s encouraging to hear that Trump wants to ‘stop’ this ‘horrible war’. Diplomacy and a focus on humanitarian needs should be the top priorities moving forward.
The extreme winter weather is only compounding the suffering of Ukrainians. I hope the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy can inject new momentum into the peace process.