Kyiv blackouts continue as Russia bombards the area with brutal airstrikes. Russia is one of the world’s largest suppliers and continues to have control over energy supplies as the energy crisis continues to amp up across the world.
Though other global leaders have sworn to cut ties with Russia as their key energy supplier as a result of sanctions caused by the Russo-Ukrainian war, many countries are struggling to find a supplier that can provide adequate energy amidst the energy crisis.
Additionally, Russia continues to threaten Ukraine’s energy supply this winter after local strikes which aimed to lower public morale.
Local energy suppliers, Ysuna, warned of a rapid decline in Urakine’s energy after the strikes and that the current blackouts could last longer than expected.
The capital of Ukraine, Kyiv is already experiencing heavy power outages with 30% of the city in a power deficit. That number is only expected to grow in the coming weeks.
The governor of the Kyiv region has spoken out about the recent strikes and that the energy deficit has disabled key local facilities.
Russia’s drone strikes and attacks quickly disrupted Kyiv’s energy supply in a mere two weeks as it began to target the region’s power plants.
Although the weather has been unusually mild in parts of Europe, the warm weather is expected to drop off in November, leaving many locals worried about their ability to keep warm this winter. The Kyiv blackouts only add to the concern, leaving hundreds without heating.
To combat the energy deficit, Ukrainian president Zelensky held an emergency meeting to discuss appropriate actions to tackle the energy situation in the region.
Zelensky is now encouraging locals to be conscious of their energy usage to conserve as much energy as possible. By conserving energy, more energy will be available to supply citizens and to fuel critical facilities.
Historically Ukraine has lived in an energy surplus due to the high production of natural gas, made possible by the many power plants in the region, so an energy deficit is a shock to the system.
Local citizens have been asked to monitor their energy usage in the mornings and evenings, being extra careful when using energy-intensive appliances. Local businesses are encouraged to leverage energy-saving light bulbs to reduce their energy output.
