Kyiv’s mayor has issued a plea for residents to evacuate the Ukrainian capital following Russian attacks that have left half of the city without power and heating. Mayor Vitali Klitschko took to Facebook on Friday morning, describing the energy situation in Kyiv as dire and warning that the city may face even more challenges ahead. As a result of Russian air strikes on Tuesday night, 1,940 apartment blocks are currently without heating, down from the initial count of 5,635 affected blocks. Approximately 4,000 buildings, including the parliament, are still without power or heat, representing about half of the capital, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
Klitschko advised residents to gather essential supplies and encouraged those with the means to relocate to areas with alternative power and heating options. He mentioned the establishment of designated areas across the city to shelter large groups of people overnight if necessary, providing sleeping arrangements, heating devices, food, and hygiene essentials.
The recent attack exacerbated the situation in Kyiv, where heating had only been restored in most affected buildings following previous Russian strikes on January 9. Ukrainian authorities reported four fatalities and 25 injuries in Kyiv after Russia launched 242 drones and 36 missiles during the overnight assault.
Moscow has intensified its assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure amid the country’s harsh winter conditions, with temperatures plummeting to around -10C. Meanwhile, Zelensky expressed hope that the trilateral discussions in the United Arab Emirates would bring progress towards ending the conflict. The talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the US in Abu Dhabi are expected to address the delicate issue of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.
Zelensky emphasized the significance of the Donbas matter in the discussions and highlighted the need to align viewpoints among the three parties. He acknowledged that while the talks signify a step towards peace, uncertainties persist regarding the outcome.
The dialogue follows a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow, as well as a positive encounter between Zelensky and Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Zelensky described his meeting with Trump as constructive, while Trump acknowledged progress but noted that there is still work to be done in resolving the conflict.
This concludes the latest developments from global news sources.