Kyiv: Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal has reported that Ukraine's power system faced its "most difficult day" since the blackout in November 2022, which followed extensive Russian strikes. The challenges stem from recent shelling that has severely impacted the nation's energy infrastructure.

According to Anadolu Agency, Shmyhal disclosed the dire situation via a Telegram statement, citing extensive damage to generation facilities and the destruction of distribution networks and transformers. This has prompted energy workers to implement emergency shutdowns, with special schedules being enforced by Ukrenergo, the country's power grid operator, to maintain the system's integrity.

The minister highlighted that the most affected areas include Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and the Dnipropetrovsk region. In response, 165 repair crews have been deployed to restore heating in Kyiv, although their efforts are hindered by ongoing security threats. The capital experienced its 2000th air alert since martial law was instituted, emphasizing the persistent danger faced by residents and workers alike.

Shmyhal condemned any acts of aggression against repair crews, who endure harsh conditions to restore power and heating. He described them as "real heroes" working at their maximum capacity to alleviate the crisis.

The Ukrainian government declared a state of emergency in the energy sector last week due to the compounded effects of extreme weather and Russian attacks. On January 9, a significant strike left most of Kyiv without power. Although repairs restored heating to most affected buildings, subsequent attacks on Tuesday resulted in over 5,600 high-rise buildings losing heat again.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that as of Friday morning, 1,940 high-rise buildings remain without heating, particularly in districts on the city's left bank. Restoration efforts continue amid the challenging circumstances.

The Russian government stated that the January 9 strikes were in retaliation for an alleged Ukrainian drone attempt on President Vladimir Putin's residence. Ukraine denied these claims, viewing them as an attempt to derail diplomatic resolutions to the prolonged conflict.

In November 2022, Shmyhal, then serving as Ukraine's Prime Minister, indicated that substantial Russian strikes had incapacitated nearly half of Ukraine's energy system. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had also reported that over 10 million people were left without electricity during that period.