Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko hit back at the Ukrainian president’s criticism of measures to help residents cope with power outages.
He said 430 “warming centers” were helping residents cope with the effects of Russian attacks on power plants, and more than 100 more were planned in case of extreme conditions.
Klitschko’s reaction comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky noted days ago that there were many complaints about the measures adopted in the capital.
Most regions across Ukraine have been affected by power outages this week, and while six million people are currently affected, Zelensky said the “biggest problems” were in Kiev.
“I don’t want to get involved in political battles, especially in the current situation”, said Klitschko.
“This is nonsense. I have things to do in the city,” he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, according to the country’s state grid operator Ukrenergo, Ukraine only has enough energy to cover 80% of its electricity needs.
The news follows Russia’s seventh attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as part of a new strategy to break morale.
Residents in Kiev and other cities are living without power and water – despite temperatures dropping below zero.
Otherwise, the EU has announced that it will supply Ukraine with 200 medium transformers, a large autotransformer and 40 generators.
The news was announced by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, after a telephone conversation with the Ukrainian president.
In addition, USAID delivered 80 generators and 22,500 blankets to the Ukrainians.
The funds are only part of the overall assistance program that Ukraine receives through USAID.
In early November, a representative of the US State Department said that USAID plans to deliver 1,600 generators to Ukraine.
