Moscow: Severe winter conditions are affecting both Russia and Ukraine as the war between the two countries approaches its fifth year.
According to Anadolu Agency, the conflict, which began on February 24, 2019, continues with Moscow claiming slow but steady military advancements in eastern Ukraine during the harsh winter. At a recent Cabinet meeting, US President Donald Trump stated that he personally requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease firing on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for a week due to the extreme cold weather. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that this issue was part of the discussions during trilateral peace talks held in Abu Dhabi last week.
Earlier, Zelenskyy informed journalists that Ukraine is ready to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure if Moscow reciprocates, though no direct dialogue or agreement has been established between Kyiv and Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later acknowledged that Trump had asked Putin to pause strikes for a week, but did not confirm if Putin agreed.
The extreme weather has led to a state of emergency in Ukraine's energy sector, declared by Zelenskyy due to the severe conditions and Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, leaving over a million people in Kyiv and other cities without power. Ukraine's Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal noted that the country's energy system faced its most challenging day since a nationwide blackout caused by Russian strikes in November 2022. Trump described Ukraine's conditions as extraordinary, with forecasts predicting freezing temperatures nationwide.
The Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center forecasted temperatures in several regions to drop as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius between February 1 and 3, with a gradual improvement expected by February 4 and 5. These conditions are expected to hinder energy services and disrupt transport.
In Russia, similar extreme weather conditions are reported, with record snowfall, particularly in Moscow. Moscow State University reported that January was unusually cold and snowy in the capital, with an abnormally high amount of precipitation. The MSU Meteorological Observatory recorded almost 92 millimeters of precipitation by January 29, the highest in over two centuries. Russia's Far East, especially the Kamchatka region, is also experiencing heavy snowfall, with local authorities seeking federal assistance.
In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, December saw 370 millimeters of precipitation, with an additional 163.6 millimeters recorded in the first half of January, significantly above the monthly averages.