Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared a state of emergency in the nation's energy sector as the country grapples with severe power disruptions following intense Russian bombardment. The move comes during a brutal cold snap, with night-time temperatures dropping close to a bone-chilling -20C (-4F).
Emergency Measures Amidst the Freeze
President Zelenskyy announced that the emergency declaration would grant authorities "more options and flexibility" to tackle the crisis. He has called for the urgent establishment of more warming centres where residents can find heat and charge essential electronic devices. In a significant move, he also suggested that nightly curfews could be lifted in areas where the security situation allows, to ease the hardship on civilians.
The president was sharply critical of the preparedness in the capital, Kyiv, stating it had done "considerably less" than other major urban centres like Kharkiv. "Even in recent days, I do not see sufficient intensity," Zelenskyy said, demanding urgent corrections. Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, hit back, asserting that heating had been restored to all but approximately 400 of 6,000 affected apartment buildings and that support centres were operating around the clock.
A permanent coordination headquarters will be established in Kyiv, overseen by the newly appointed First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister, Denys Shmyhal.
Military and Financial Challenges Exposed
On the military front, Ukraine's new Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, laid bare a series of profound challenges facing the armed forces in a parliamentary address on Wednesday. He revealed staggering figures, stating the military is contending with desertion by 200,000 troops and an additional two million people evading conscription.
Fedorov cited other critical issues, including excessive bureaucracy, a Soviet-era management style, and significant disruptions in equipment supply chains. "We cannot fight a war with new technologies but an old organisational structure," he warned. Financially, the defence ministry is facing a severe shortfall, with a funding gap of 300 billion hryvnia (approximately $6.9 billion).
Amidst these difficulties, Fedorov highlighted positive developments in Ukraine's domestic defence industry, noting the emergence of about 20 private missile producers and over 100 companies manufacturing ground-based robotic systems from scratch.
International Support and Sanctions
On the international stage, the European Union has outlined a proposal that would allow Ukraine to use a forthcoming €90 billion (£78 billion) EU loan to purchase military equipment from non-European suppliers. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated the principle would be "European preference first, but if not possible then purchase abroad." This marks a softening from a stricter "buy European" stance previously advocated by France.
Separately, the US Treasury Department has extended a licence until 28 February for companies to negotiate the purchase of foreign assets belonging to the sanctioned Russian energy giant Lukoil. The US imposed sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft on 22 October as part of efforts to pressure Moscow over its war, severely disrupting Lukoil's overseas operations.
As the war enters its 1,422nd day, President Zelenskyy urged his military to hold their positions along the extensive frontline and called for maximum productivity from diplomats working towards peace, explicitly stating he expects "the same level of energetic work from the American side."
