Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko is urging residents to prepare for potential new strikes on the city’s energy infrastructure by stocking up on food, water and medicines — and not ruling out a temporary move out of the capital. He says the city is setting up warming centers to support people if conditions deteriorate further.
Klitschko wrote on his Telegram channel that the situation in the capital remains “extremely difficult” and could worsen.
“I’m addressing residents and speaking honestly: the situation is extremely difficult, and this may not be the most difficult moment. Stock up on food, water and essential medicines. Those who still have the option to leave the city, where there are alternative sources of power and heat, don’t dismiss it,” he wrote.
Klitschko separately appealed to employers to introduce flexible schedules and, where possible, move staff to remote work.
According to the mayor, warming centers have been set up in every district of Kyiv, where people can stay overnight if needed. The sites are equipped with sleeping areas, mobile boiler units, as well as food and hygiene supplies. “We are discussing plans and procedures for various possible scenarios at the headquarters with district leaders,” he added.
Klitschko said district administrations are coordinating operations on the ground, gathering information and working with the city headquarters. All Kyiv City State Administration departments, municipal services, hospitals and social institutions are working around the clock to keep the capital functioning. “We will endure - no matter how difficult it is!” he concluded.
Also on the morning of January 23, Klitschko said that after the large-scale attacks on January 9 and 20, 1,940 apartment buildings in the city still lack heating. He said most of them are on the Left Bank and in the Pechersk district, with some in the Holosiivskyi and Solomianskyi districts.
Overnight, utility and energy crews restored heat carrier supply to more than 650 buildings and continue work on the remainder.
Separately, lawmaker Danylo Hetmantsev said water has been drained from heating systems in some parliamentary committee buildings. He added that lawmakers “are holding on and do not plan to ‘drain’” themselves.
