Russia Hammers Ukraine's Power Grid in Winter, Leaving 1,700 Buildings Without Heat

Russia Hammers Ukraine's Power Grid in Winter, Leaving 1,700 Buildings Without Heat A relentless Russian campaign targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure has plunged the capital, Kyiv, into a severe winter crisis, leaving thousands of residents without heat and power amid sub-zero temperatures. The attacks, which have intensified as cold weather sets in, are a deliberate strategy to break civilian morale by creating humanitarian hardship, experts say [58553]. In Kyiv alone, nearly 1,700 high-rise apartment buildings remain without central heating following months of strikes [58341]. In some districts, blackouts have persisted for over 16 days [58548]. The situation is exacerbated by the legacy of Soviet-era centralized heating systems. These networks, where a single plant serves entire districts, are now a critical vulnerability. When a facility is struck, heat disappears for thousands of apartments, hospitals, and schools at once [58213]. The humanitarian impact is dire. Olena Zviahina, a resident of Kyiv's left bank district, described living in a freezing, damaged apartment, relying on candles and warm clothes to survive with little outside support [58548]. A massive attack on January 24, which coincided with the opening of international peace talks, left 1.2 million people without electricity and heating [58412][58413]. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys condemned the timing of such strikes, accusing Russia of using "the language of terror" by attacking during diplomatic negotiations [58412]. Western officials have urgently called for stronger air defense systems for Ukraine to protect civilians and critical infrastructure [58412]. While Ukrainian repair crews struggle to restore services under constant threat, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a major bilateral security agreement with the United States is "100% ready" for signing, pending logistical details for the ceremony [58750][58426]. He has linked the urgent need for such security guarantees and more air defense to the protection of Ukrainian civilians from these infrastructure attacks [58557]. Russia Targets Ukraine's Power Grid in Winter Kyiv's Winter Crisis: 1,700 Towers Still Lack Heat After Attacks Kyiv Endures 16-Day Blackout as Peace Talks Continue Cold War Heating Grid Leaves Ukrainian Cities Exposed Russia Speaks "Language of Terror" in Blackout Strike During Peace Talks Russia Strikes Ukraine Cities as Peace Talks Open US-Ukraine Security Pact "100% Ready" for Signing, Zelenskyy Says US-Ukraine Security Deal "100% Ready," Awaiting Signature U.S.-Ukraine Security Deal "100% Ready," Says Zelensky