KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine faced widespread power outages Thursday as the country’s energy system struggled to cope with the damage from a wave of Russian attacks.
Civilians across the country were warned to brace for planned power cuts of up to four hours at a time as Ukraine’s national energy company, Ukrenergo, urged people to charge all their devices and stock up on warm socks, blankets and flashlights.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces have launched intensified missile strikes and “kamikaze” drone attacks against critical infrastructure, in what Ukrainian officials and Western military analysts say is a deliberate new strategy by the Kremlin ahead of winter.
From Kharkiv in the east to Lviv in the west, Russian attacks have damaged or destroyed facilities across the country that have supplied power, heat and water throughout the war. Officials pleaded with people to conserve electricity as crews tried to keep up with the repairs.
In just over a week, Moscow’s military took out as much as 30% of the country’s power stations, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Kyiv has accused Russia of seeking to annihilate the country’s energy system as colder weather sets in because the Kremlin’s military is facing a litany of setbacks on the battlefield.
“We assume that Russian terror will be directed at energy facilities until, with the help of partners, we ensure the ability to shoot down 100% of enemy missiles and drones,” Zelenskyy said in a video address Wednesday.
Ukraine’s energy minister, Herman Halushchenko, said Thursday the government was seeking a 20% reduction in energy use and that Ukrainians had responded to the appeal to ease pressure on the country’s grid.
‘Anger more than fear’
People in the country’s capital, Kyiv, told NBC News they had been preparing for shortages by stocking up on candles, portable chargers, diesel generators, gas stoves and even thermal underwear and electric blankets.
Iryna Veremenko, who lives in an apartment in Kyiv, said she prepared for the possible blackouts on Thursday by charging all her devices the night before and setting aside food that’s easy to reheat.
Veremenko, 38, said she turned off all her appliances and was relying on her apartment’s gas supply to cook or heat water if necessary.
“I feel anger more than fear,” Veremenko said, adding that the strikes on Ukraine’s energy systems show Moscow’s desperation, which she said is all the more reason for Ukraine to resist.
The business analyst said she had been preparing for temporary shutdowns by stocking up on canned foods, keeping her portable charger ready at all times, and having a travel-size gas burner on the ready. She also has a sleeping bag designed for below freezing temperatures, a thermal blanket and even skiing clothes in case temperatures continue dropping and the strikes on energy targets continue.