Half of Kiev residents without Heating, water supply restored - Mayor

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Dec 2022 18:48

According to the Mayor of Kiev, only two-thirds of Kievans have been reconnected to power supply "but emergency shutdown schedules are used. For the shortage of electricity is significant."

A building is seen illuminated as power outages continue in parts of Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Dec. 16, 2022 (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Following the latest round of Russian retaliatory strikes on Ukraine's civilian and military infrastructure on Friday, Kiev's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Saturday that the water supply has been fully restored in Ukraine's capital, while half of Kievians remain without heating and two-thirds have electricity.

"Water supply has been restored to all residents of the capital. Half of Kiev residents already have heating, and we are working to restore it to all residents of the city. Two-thirds of Kiev have been reconnected to power supply," Klitschko said on Telegram, adding that "emergency shutdown schedules are used. For the shortage of electricity is significant," and therefore rationing would continue.

Earlier in the day, Klitschko announced that Kiev's metro system was back in service after it has been completely stopped and its stations used as bombing shelters amid Friday's air raid warnings.

‼️Due to the #russian missiles attack on #Ukraine today, the metro stations work only as bomb shelters. There is a lack of electricity for its work like transport. #Kyiv #RussiaisATerroistState pic.twitter.com/03gzb9HLS0
— Promote Ukraine (@PromoteUkraine) December 16, 2022

Kiev accused Moscow this morning of hitting residential apartments in the strike and killing four people.

The Russian Defense Ministry responded to the accusations by saying "Unprofessional actions of the Ukrainian air defense units resulted in damage to civilian infrastructure on the ground."

The power grids are straining to endure rain and snow, frost, and strong winds that coat the wires with ice, according to Ukraine's energy utility Ukrenergo, which stated on Saturday that the country is still experiencing a severe power generation shortfall as a result of recent air strikes.

According to Ukrenergo, Ukraine is working to gradually restore thermal power plant operations while hydroelectric power plants are performing according to schedule. The country is also working to bring nuclear power plant power output to planned capacity levels.