Ukraine's Kharkiv declares emergency after Russia bombs city's key power facility
Photo: Russians struck energy facilities in Kharkiv at night (Getty Images)
As a result of a massive Russian nighttime strike in Kharkiv, the TPP-5 and the Kharkivska and Zaliutyne power substations were damaged. A large number of people were left without heat, and a state of emergency was declared, according to the Kharkiv City Council and mayor Ihor Terekhov.
Today, a meeting of the city commission on technological and environmental safety and emergencies was held. The accident at the energy facilities was classified as a local-level technological emergency.
"The lack of heating and disruption to the stable operation of life support systems in winter poses a real threat to the life and health of people, especially children, the elderly, and citizens with limited mobility," Terekhov emphasizes.
According to him, 1,200 buildings were at risk, but thanks to block-modular boiler rooms and alternative heat sources, 300 buildings were supplied with heat. He also adds that a decision was made to drain the heat carrier, as this is the only way to preserve the heat supply system in freezing temperatures.
As a result, heat supply was cut off to 929 facilities in Kharkiv, 853 of which were residential buildings. According to the mayor, almost 105,000 people were left without heat.
He says that houses in the Shevchenkivskyi, Novobavarskyi, Kholodnohirskyi, and partly Kyivskyi districts of Kharkiv were without heat.
Electricity and humanitarian points
Additionally, the government will increase electricity limits for the city so as not to disconnect those without heating, which will allow citizens to use heating devices. Terekhov also adds that Kharkiv restored power to the metro and electric transport.
"We have 101 humanitarian centers where people can stay around the clock. If necessary, we will set up tents—50 tents—so that people can stay in more or less normal conditions," he says.
The Kharkiv mayor adds that there is an agreement with Ukrainian Railways, which will provide 6 train cars where people can stay.
Last night, Russians attacked Kharkiv with drones and missiles. The Russian strike lasted several hours. Russia deliberately targeted the energy sector in the cold, which led to severe consequences.
Read also about the consequences of the Russian attack on Kyiv and other cities.
