This is reported by Kyiv24
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has identified Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions, including their regional centers, as areas with the worst energy situation. He announced this information on January 17 following a special meeting on energy issues.
Energy Problems After Shelling
According to the president, the situation is particularly difficult in the cities of Hostomel, Bucha, and Irpin after the nighttime shelling of Kyiv region. All responsible services are already working to eliminate the consequences of the attacks and restore power supply. Zelensky also noted that efforts are planned to stabilize the situation in Odesa throughout the day. The energy situation in Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, and Dnipropetrovsk regions is also being monitored closely.
The president emphasized the importance of prompt responses to heating issues in the capital, especially in buildings that still lack heat. Zelensky pointed out that reports from the city and government authorities regarding the number of such buildings differ, so the Ministry of Energy and all government bodies must intensify their efforts to assist the population.
“After the nighttime strike on Kyiv region, additional challenges exist for Hostomel, Bucha, and Irpin – all necessary services are involved. The situation in Odesa should also be corrected throughout the day. Reports have also been received regarding Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, and Dnipro regions,” Zelensky wrote on Facebook.
Need for Electricity and Consequences of Attacks
The head of state called for the acceleration of electricity imports and the engagement of additional equipment from international partners, stressing that all necessary decisions have already been made and the increase in imports should begin as soon as possible.
Earlier, on January 16, the president noted that by January 2026, Ukraine’s electricity demand will reach 18 GW, while domestic capabilities can only provide 11 GW. Zelensky emphasized that details regarding the restoration of energy facilities are not disclosed to avoid new attacks.
Since February 2022, Russia has regularly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. In February last year, the Ministry of Energy reported that over three years, Russia occupied 18 GW of generation capacity, including hydropower plants, thermal power plants, and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is the largest in Europe.
According to the Financial Times, by June 2024, Russia had destroyed over 50% of electricity production in Ukraine, with total generation decreasing from 55 to less than 20 GW.
According to the Ministry of Energy, since the beginning of 2025, energy infrastructure facilities have been attacked more than 4,500 times, with a particular escalation since autumn.
Following the latest massive attacks by Russia, a state of emergency has been declared in Ukraine’s energy system. The most challenging situation remains in Kyiv and the Kyiv region. After the strike on January 9, emergency power outages continue. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko noted that this attack was the most severe blow to the city’s critical infrastructure in four years.