In Ukraine, an investigation is ongoing into the causes of the large-scale power outages that occurred on January 31. President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an evening address, stated that energy specialists are thoroughly examining the circumstances of the technological failure in the energy system. So far, no external interference or cyberattacks have been recorded.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Circumstances of the Failure and Its Consequences
According to the head of state, the main probable cause of the failure was the icing of power lines due to severe weather conditions, which led to automatic shutdowns.
“As of now, there is no confirmation of external interference or cyberattacks. More data indicates that due to weather conditions, icing of the lines occurred, leading to automatic shutdowns”
The hardest-hit areas include Kyiv, central Ukraine, Vinnytsia region, as well as the cities of Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Sumy region. In Kyiv, the situation remains complicated: nearly 3,500 buildings are without heating. City authorities, utility services, and energy specialists promise to rectify the situation by the morning of the next day.
Restoration of Power Supply and Situation in the Regions
First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal reported that energy specialists have restored power supply in all regions of Ukraine, and regions are gradually returning to their planned work schedules. High-voltage lines and substations are operating normally.
The Ministry of Energy noted that the failure occurred due to a technological disruption, which simultaneously disconnected high-voltage lines between the energy systems of Romania and Moldova, as well as between the western and central parts of Ukraine.
Residents of Kyiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Odesa, and Dnipropetrovsk regions reported power supply interruptions. In the capital, due to emergency shutdowns, the metro service was halted, and there was also a temporary lack of water supply.
Following the recent massive attacks by the Russian Federation on energy facilities in Ukraine, a state of emergency is in effect. The situation remains particularly tense in Kyiv, where after the Russian strike on January 24, hundreds of apartment buildings were left without heating. Some of these had previously been without heating again after earlier shelling on January 9 and 20.