Kyiv's winter preparations worst in Ukraine, management changes being considered – Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the city of Kyiv is the least-prepared region in Ukraine according to the country's resilience plans. He has therefore begun consultations on "security and management steps".

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Quote: "As of mid-October, virtually across the entire country – even in border and frontline regions – the implementation of resilience plans is further advanced than in Kyiv. And Kyiv residents certainly feel it – when even isolated hits by Shaheds cause electricity and water outages across large parts of the capital."

Details: Zelenskyy said he has launched consultations on "security and management steps". He met with Vasyl Maliuk, former head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Ivan Fedorov, Head of the State Agency for Restoration, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, businessman Kostiantyn Yefymenko and former MP Maksym Yefimov.

"There are substantial proposals, and I am grateful for them. I will hold further consultations – more meetings are already planned," the president wrote.

Zelenskyy concluded by saying that he is preparing to make decisions regarding the situation in Kyiv.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has rejected accusations that the capital's preparations for the heating season have been mishandled, describing them as an attempt by the authorities to undermine local self-government.

Background:

• On 9 October, Zelenskyy accused Kyiv's city authorities of failing to take the necessary steps to implement the resilience plans.
• Since the beginning of autumn, Russian attacks have repeatedly brought the capital's transport infrastructure to a virtual standstill. In particular, the Kyiv metro stopped operating on 8 October due to a drop in voltage.
• Klitschko has stressed that amid intensified Russian attacks, the situation in Kyiv is now a matter of survival. Residents who have friends or relatives outside Kyiv have been advised to consider temporarily moving out of the capital.
• On 13 October, members of the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, summoned Klitschko to the session of parliament on 14 October.

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