The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, is in survival mode after a violent streak Russian aircraft attacks leaving most citizens without electricity, drinking water, or both.
About 70% of the city was without power Thursday morning after the latest Russian missile fire, officials said.
President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky said on Thursday that the recovery process in the capital and other affected areas was continuing and that officials were focused on the “gradual restoration of electricity, heat, water and communications”.
People walk in the center of the city, which lost power after yesterday’s Russian missile strike in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, November 24, 2022.
(AP Photo/Yugenii Malaletka)
“The most difficult situation is in Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv, Poltava and Kharkiv regions. But along with power supply of critical infrastructure facilities, we also provide water and heat supply,” Zelensky said during the night address.
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He also said that the areas affected by the complete blackout as the Russian troops shelled Electrical infrastructure of Ukraine restore power.
“Every hour we restore energy supply to new consumers,” he said. “Energy workers, utilities, business – everyone is doing their part to ensure that there is light again. This is truly a national task – Ukraine is working in this as unitedly as possible.”
People collect water, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, November 24, 2022.
(AP Photo/Yugenii Malaletka)
Residents were forced to seek shelter and warmth wherever they could, including restaurants and facilities that were left unscathed by the attack.
Alyaksei Rashchupkin, a 39-year-old from Kyiv, said he lost power during the attack, but was able to find a cafe that had electricity.
“I’m here because there’s heat, coffee and light,” he told The Associated Press. “That’s life.”
In Kyiv, where some residents have been forced to use buckets to collect drinking rainwater, the coming winter months will bring a whole new challenge — but there is no doubting their determination.
Ukrainians say President of Russia Vladimir Putin attacks will not break them.
“Nobody will surrender their will and principles just for the sake of electricity,” says 34-year-old Alina Dubeyka, who was also left at home without electricity, heating and water.
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Although the Russian invasion passed the nine-month mark on Thursday, Dubeyka said she would rather be out of power than live under Russian rule.
“Without light and you [Putin]? Without you,” she said, echoing Zelensky’s comments made on October 10, when the rocket fire began.
A woman walks through the center of the city, which was left without electricity after yesterday’s Russian missile fire in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, November 24, 2022.
(AP Photo/Yugenii Malaletka)
For now Kyiv bounces back other cities, especially Kherson, suffered the heaviest bombardment since Ukrainian forces retook it two weeks ago.
As a result of the Russian missile attack on the city, at least five people were killed.
Night strikes near the city of Zaporozhye destroyed a Ukrainian maternity home, a 2-day-old baby died, officials said.
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“At night, Russian monsters fired huge rockets at the small maternity ward of the hospital in Vilniansk. Grief overflows our hearts – the child who just saw the world died. Rescuers are working on the spot,” said Governor Alexander Starukh. said on Telegram on Thursday.
Russian attacks continue to cause nationwide power outages, although they are said to be targeting key infrastructure that supports the Ukrainian military. Ukrainian officials, however, say that Russian attacks have caused untold damage to civilian areas, including homes, roads, hospitals and schools.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
