Ukraine residents told to ration power as Russia attacks energy facilities


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged residents of Ukraine to ration their use of electricity as the country works to repair infrastructure destroyed by Russia, The Wall Street Journal reports. The energy shortage comes as Russia targets critical energy facilities across the country, depriving Ukrainians of power.
Russia's "special military operation" using missiles and Iranian-made kamikaze drones entered its tenth day and has destroyed about a third of Ukraine's power stations, Reuters reports. Experts have posited that the tactic aims to bring Ukraine into negotiations despite Russia's poor military performance.
Zelensky said he is meeting officials on Thursday to accelerate the repair of these facilities, however, efforts could take months, reports The Washington Post. In the meantime, he implemented a strict energy-saving regime restricting power supply on Thursday between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., Reuters continues. He also encouraged Ukrainians to limit electricity consumption between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. as those are peak hours of usage.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The real problem is the incoming cold weather where the demand for power is much higher. Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of Ukraine's electric transmission company, Ukrenergo said that the "heating season will be very difficult," in a television interview.
Despite the incoming hardships, Ukrainians are prepared to endure. Mikhaylo Holovnenko, a Kyiv resident, told Reuters "we are ready for outages. We have candles, charged power banks. Ukraine is charged to win."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.
-
Russia's spies: skulduggery in Great Yarmouth
In the Spotlight 'Amateurish' spy ring in Norfolk seaside town exposes the decline of Russian intelligence
By The Week UK Published
-
Can Ukraine make peace with Trump in Saudi Arabia?
Talking Point Zelenskyy and his team must somehow navigate the gap between US president's 'demands and threats'
By The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine: where do Trump's loyalties really lie?
Today's Big Question 'Extraordinary pivot' by US president – driven by personal, ideological and strategic factors – has 'upended decades of hawkish foreign policy toward Russia'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Is Europe's defence too reliant on the US?
Today's Big Question As the UK and EU plan to 're-arm', how easy will it be to disentangle from US equipment and support?
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Is the British Army ready to deploy to Ukraine?
Today's Big Question The UK 'would be expected to play a major role' if a peacekeeping force is sent to enforce ceasefire with Russia
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
What will Trump-Putin Ukraine peace deal look like?
Today's Big Question US president 'blindsides' European and UK leaders, indicating Ukraine must concede seized territory and forget about Nato membership
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's disappearing army
Under the Radar Every day unwilling conscripts and disillusioned veterans are fleeing the front
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's mercenaries fighting against Ukraine
The Explainer Young men lured by high salaries and Russian citizenship to enlist for a year are now trapped on front lines of war indefinitely
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published