Ukraine’s energy crisis has reached catastrophic levels as President Zelensky declares a state of emergency while Russian attacks deliberately target civilian infrastructure.
Story Highlights
- Zelensky declares first energy sector state of emergency in four years of war following devastating Russian strikes
- 70 percent of Kyiv loses power after coordinated attacks, with 400 apartment buildings still without heating
- Over one million Ukrainians left without heating and water as temperatures drop to -20°C
- Emergency measures include 1,200 warming centers and permanent coordination headquarters to combat crisis
Unprecedented Energy Emergency Declaration
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Wednesday a state of emergency for the country’s energy sector following devastating Russian missile and drone attacks that left 70 percent of Kyiv without power. The January 14 declaration represents the first formal energy emergency in four years of full-scale war, underscoring the unprecedented scale of infrastructure destruction. Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko confirmed this marks the worst energy crisis since Russia’s 2022 invasion began, with approximately 400 apartment buildings remaining without heating during extreme winter conditions.
The emergency declaration followed a concentrated Russian assault beginning January 9 that culminated in massive overnight strikes on January 13. These coordinated attacks targeted critical energy infrastructure across Ukraine, demonstrating Russia’s strategy of weaponizing winter weather against civilian populations. The timing coincides with temperatures dropping to -15°C to -20°C, creating life-threatening conditions for residents without heating or electricity in the Ukrainian capital and surrounding regions.
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Coordinated Russian Campaign Against Civilian Infrastructure
Russia has conducted daily drone and missile barrages in recent months, deliberately targeting energy infrastructure to exploit harsh winter conditions as part of its military strategy. This systematic campaign goes beyond typical military objectives, focusing on civilian suffering during the most vulnerable winter period. The attacks demonstrate a clear pattern of targeting non-military infrastructure essential for civilian survival, raising serious concerns about violations of international humanitarian law and the deliberate targeting of non-combatants.
Beyond Kyiv, more than one million people in southeastern Ukraine were left without heating and water following recent air strikes, indicating the nationwide scope of Russia’s infrastructure campaign. DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy provider serving 5.6 million customers, reports operating in “permanent crisis mode” as relentless attacks exceed repair capacity. Maxim Timchenko, DTEK’s chief executive, describes facing “relentless waves of drone, cruise missile and ballistic missile attacks, leaving little time to repair the grid.”
Russian attacks cause energy emergency in freezing Ukraine, says Zelenskyy https://t.co/ladjdogfdG pic.twitter.com/K834z05l6I
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 15, 2026
Emergency Response and Humanitarian Crisis
Zelensky ordered the establishment of a permanent coordination headquarters for Kyiv’s energy situation and announced plans to significantly increase electricity imports into Ukraine. The government implemented emergency measures including deregulation of backup energy supply and review of curfew rules to allow residents better access to assistance during extreme cold. Authorities established 1,200 emergency warming centers providing tents with heat, device charging capabilities, and hot food and beverages for desperate residents.
Current conditions force Kyiv residents to endure power rationing with approximately three hours of electricity followed by up to ten hours without power. Mayor Klitschko recommended residents temporarily leave the city if possible, highlighting the severity of the humanitarian emergency. Mobile power plants are being deployed to supplement grid capacity, but repair efforts struggle against the pace of ongoing Russian attacks that continue targeting the same infrastructure workers attempt to restore.
Sources:
Zelensky to declare state of emergency in Ukraine’s energy sector
Ukraine declares energy emergency as extreme cold and Russian strikes hit power grid
Kyiv Post coverage of energy emergency
