Winter will be difficult, because Russia uses cold as a weapon – Ukraine’s Prime Minister

OLENA ROSHCHINA — WEDNESDAY, 12 OCTOBER 2022, 18:33

Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, calls on Ukrainians to stock up on warm clothes, candles, flashlights, and batteries to get through the winter of 2022-2023 more easily. He says it will be a hard winter because of Russia's efforts to leave Ukraine without electricity and heat in order to use the cold as a way of putting pressure on the country.

Source: statement by the head of the government on Telegram

Details: Shmyhal stated that Russia uses missiles and kamikaze drones against civilian infrastructure: there were 8 attacks in three regions of Ukraine within one day, and 128 attacks were recorded in the last three days, as a result of which more than 200 different facilities were damaged. Twenty-eight facilities of energy infrastructure are among them.

Strikes were conducted on both electrical generation and distribution facilities. Russian troops fired more than 100 missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, but thanks to anti-aircraft defence, critical damage was avoided, and the Ukrainian energy system is now functioning normally.

Quote from Shmyhal: "We were prepared for the fact that Russia would try to destroy important infrastructure facilities and worked out various response scenarios. Necessary backup equipment was purchased... At the same time, we must be prepared for temporary power outages. This is a military reality…

We will not embellish reality - this winter will be difficult. Therefore, we once again urge everyone to carefully prepare for winter. It is desirable that each family has a supply of basic necessities: warm clothes, candles, flashlights, and batteries. It is important to prepare for this in case light or heat disappears as a result of massive rocket attacks.

For our part, together with local authorities, we have accumulated sufficient energy resources, prepared networks, purchased additional equipment, and are providing repairs to damaged infrastructure."

Details: According to Shmyhal, the country is now more than 90% ready for the heating season. Special warming centres for the population have also been prepared and "evacuation plans have been developed for cases when critical infrastructure cannot be quickly restored."

To get through this autumn and winter, we need to reduce electricity consumption so as to need fewer rolling power outages. Ideally, between 17:00 and 22:00, Ukraine should use 25% less electricity. So far, Ukrainians have been able to reduce consumption by 10%.

Shmyhal also urged people to use gas and coal sparingly after the beginning of the heating season, although this will lead to a decrease in the air temperature indoors.

The minimum permissible temperature will be 16 degrees, and the average 18 degrees.

Quote from Shmyhal: "It depends on each of us how we will get through this winter (...). It is important to understand that Russian terrorists will try to use the cold as their weapon. In their sick imagination, if Ukrainians sit for several hours without light, that is a victory. They think that this way they will force us to capitulate. It will not happen. We will restore everything they have destroyed."

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