Due to the war damage to Ukraine’s electricity and heat supplies, the government is asking the refugee men and women not to return until next spring. “If the opportunity arises, stay and winter abroad,” Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk told national television in Kiev on Tuesday.
Due to the Russian attacks, the energy systems are unstable. “You see what Russia is doing, everyone sees it. You, your children, all your vulnerable relatives who are sick, disabled or elderly,” said Vereshchuk. “We have to survive this winter.” However, next spring she looks forward to many people returning home to rebuild the devastated area and send the children to Ukrainian schools.
Targeted attacks on energy infrastructure
Since October 10, the Russian military has destroyed many power and heating systems in Ukraine with missile and drone attacks. On the one hand, the Kremlin plans to reduce revenues from electricity exports, on the other, Ukraine’s will to resist must be broken and start a new wave of refugees – which would then be in trouble for Europe. have to bring.
According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, 7.7 million Ukrainian refugees have been registered in other European countries since the Russian war of aggression began on February 24 (as of October 19). 4.4 million Ukrainians were granted temporary protection status. There are also several million internally displaced persons in the attacked country.
Due to the damage to the electricity grid caused by Russian shelling, power was again cut off for hours in all Ukrainian regions on Tuesday. The energy supplier Ukrenergo justified the staggered restrictions by saying that the load on the grids should be reduced and the energy systems should be stabilized. Consumers were urged to save electricity, especially during the morning and evening rush hours. Washing machines and heaters should only run at night if possible and unnecessary light sources should be turned off.
Less impacts – lack of ammunition?
Meanwhile, the US Institute for War Studies (ISW) points out that Russian airstrikes with missiles, cruise missiles and drones have declined sharply in recent days. This was probably due to a lack of ammunition. The effect of these bombings was also limited, it said. Due to the decrease, fewer air raid sirens have been called in Ukraine. There was a brief alarm in the capital Kiev on Sunday and Monday. After a quiet night on Tuesday, an air raid siren was activated for Kiev and the surrounding area on Tuesday morning.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
