Ukraine has entered a power outage, Kiev has suspended water supply, Ukraine: Russia wants to turn cold weather into a weapon

Right now, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is in a stalemate.

Russia launched a new round of missile attacks on Ukraine, damaging critical infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital Kiev and several other regions, causing power outages in parts of Ukraine and neighboring Moldova, and Kiev's water supply has also been suspended .

Under such circumstances, the Ukrainian Power Grid Company announced that the entire Ukraine would enter a power outage. The mayor of Kiev immediately announced that water supply would be suspended in all areas of Kiev and urged people to stock up on water as much as possible.

Ukrainian soldiers guarding Independence Square in Kiev Source: Reuters

It must be said that under the impact of the war, people's lives have been greatly affected. But looking back, when the Crimean bridge was attacked, Ukraine made a statement that made Russia disgusted. Later, people also saw that Russia adjusted its tactics and began to counterattack.

Some experts pointed out that the damage to the Crimean bridge was approximately equivalent to an attack by 20 caliber missiles, and believed that Russia should respond by attacking Ukrainian infrastructure, especially power facilities. Once a city like Kiev loses power for a week, it will completely turn into a disaster area.

Currently, the mayor of Kiev also believes that Kiev will face the worst winter since World War II. Due to water and power outages, many people have to evacuate and must be prepared for the worst case scenario.

In response to this situation, Ukrainian President Zelensky announced a nationwide action to provide 4,000 special "invincible centers" that will be open 24 hours a day to provide the public with electricity, water, heating equipment, Internet and first aid supplies to meet residents’ basic living needs.

In addition, Zelensky also said that Russia’s goal is to “turn cold winter into weapons of mass destruction.”

Indeed, as winter enters, whose side has the advantage in the war has become a hotly debated topic.

Recently, it has begun to snow in some areas of Ukraine, and the battlefield has been covered with snow. Western and Russian media have been discussing the winter battlefield. What difficulties do Russia and Ukraine need to overcome? Who will benefit from winter?

Even US Defense Secretary Austin, who declared that the United States will continue to support Ukraine, had to admit that Russia has impressive weapons and that Ukraine will have a difficult time in the coming winter.

Western analysts believe that the Russian army will gain a real advantage in winter. From a military strategic perspective, entering winter is very beneficial to Russia.

Currently, Russia has begun to target not only Ukrainian military targets, but also other critical infrastructure, including dual-use infrastructure. This can weaken the enemy's will to fight.

After the Ukrainian army retook the city of Kherson, Ukrainian President Zelensky earlier stated that the recapture of the city of Kherson was the starting point for the end of the conflict. He also vowed to regain control of all territories. .

Obviously, Ukraine hopes to take advantage of its victory in Kherson to continue its offensive and regain more territory.

And Russia also wants to regain the initiative in Donbass. Who has the advantage lies in who can better adapt to winter operations.

Perhaps seeing the subtle changes in the situation, the United States and the West have also begun to worry. Recently, at the request of the United States and Albania, the United Nations Security Council held an interim meeting on the situation in Ukraine. Regarding the meeting, Zelensky stated that he had instructed Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations to request an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

It seems that the winter situation is indeed full of too many unknowns, and whether the Russian army will gain a real advantage depends on the game between the two sides in winter operations.

Extended reading:

Half of Ukraine’s power grid was damaged, leaving 10 million people without power. The authorities urged people to stock up on clothes and blankets for the cold winter

According to BBC 11 It was reported on March 24 that with the arrival of winter, Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Relevant Ukrainian officials said that more than half of the country's power grid currently needs to be repaired.

Power outages occurred in many cities in Ukraine

Ukraine stated that on November 23, local time, multiple Russian missiles attacked its energy infrastructure, and there were explosions in some areas including the capital Kiev. After the sound, a power outage was reported.

After the air strike, residential areas in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, lost power

Large-scale power outages occurred in the northern city of Kharkiv, the western city of Lviv, and the southern Odessa region. The local government said that many important infrastructures were attacked and water and electricity supply was interrupted in some areas.

Three nuclear power plants in Ukraine were "disconnected" from the power grid. The International Atomic Energy Agency announced on the 23rd that the external power supply of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant has been cut off again and it currently relies on its own diesel generators.

The Ukrainian military stated that Russia launched 70 missiles towards Ukraine on the 23rd, of which 51 were intercepted, and 5 attack drones were shot down.

According to Euronews, Russia has repeatedly fired on Ukraine’s infrastructure in recent weeks, causing as many as 10 million people to lose power.

Moscow said the attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure were the result of Kyiv's reluctance to negotiate.

Ukrainian people are facing difficulties in surviving the winter

The head of the Ukrainian Electric Power Company, the national grid operator, said that the damage to Ukraine's infrastructure was "huge."

Ukrainian authorities warned that power outages could affect millions of people and urged citizens to stock up on "warm clothes and blankets."

Winter temperatures in Ukraine usually fall below zero degrees Celsius, and it has snowed in many areas, including Kiev.

Kiev covered in snow

The World Health Organization issued a warning on November 22 that due to damage or destruction of infrastructure in many parts of Ukraine, the survival of millions of people is at risk. This winter is in danger.

Ukraine promised to provide free shelter to evacuated citizens before the harsh winter.

President Zelenskiy said in a video speech on the night of the 22nd that special "invincible centers" will be established across the country to provide electricity, water, Internet and medicine around the clock.

The Ukrainian government has begun to move some residents to areas where heating and safety problems are less serious.