President Volodymyr Zelensky held a special selector meeting on January 26 regarding the regions of Ukraine currently facing the most significant energy issues. The main focus was on Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Challenging Heating Situation in Kyiv
According to the head of state, the most acute situation has developed in the capital. More than 1,200 apartment buildings in Kyiv remain without heating. During the meeting with local authorities and government representatives, ways to quickly resolve this issue were discussed. Zelensky emphasized that the current timelines for restoration are unsatisfactory and called for faster action.
“Extremely difficult circumstances: more than 1,200 apartment buildings in the city are still without heating. We discussed with local leaders and officials how we can assist as quickly as possible. So far, all the timelines mentioned cannot be considered satisfactory – we need to act faster.”
Particular attention was given to the Darnytsia district on the left bank of Kyiv. Following the meeting, an action plan was established, and a report on the timelines for its implementation is expected soon.
Additional Measures to Ensure Stable Operations
The President instructed to check all reports on the readiness of social infrastructure facilities, schools, and support points in Kyiv. The Minister of Internal Affairs informed about the provision of heating points, hot meals, and mobile communication.
The Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance received a separate task to analyze the possibilities for the immediate procurement of equipment necessary for alternative energy supply and heating in Kyiv. The Minister of Energy is in contact with international partners to coordinate additional support for Ukraine and ensure its receipt in the coming days and weeks.
In addition, the Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with the Minister of Defense, is to identify additional options to strengthen the defense of Kharkiv.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the capital received 130 generators of various capacities from Poland. This equipment will enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure and social facilities. The fundraising for the generators, amounting to 8 million zlotys (about 2 million euros), was organized by Polish volunteers.
The Ministry of Energy reported that as a result of nighttime Russian shelling of energy infrastructure on January 26, consumers in Kharkiv and Donetsk Oblasts were left without electricity, where emergency recovery work is currently underway.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has systematically attacked Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and since the fall of 2025, the shelling has intensified.
Due to the recent massive strikes, a state of emergency has been declared in the country’s energy system, with the most critical situation observed in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast.
The Security Service of Ukraine views Russia’s strikes on energy infrastructure as crimes against humanity. According to the SBU, since the beginning of the current heating season, at least 256 air attacks by Russia on energy facilities and heating systems in Ukraine have been recorded.