Russian Troops Use Cold as a Weapon... Ukrainian Residents Gather Firewood During Ceasefire

Energy Infrastructure Destroyed by Consecutive Attacks
Zelensky Requests Air Defense System Support from the West

Smoke is rising from the power facilities in Lviv, Ukraine, due to a missile attack by the Russian military.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] The Russian military, cut off from a key supply route due to the destruction of the Krym Bridge, has launched large-scale missile strikes for the second consecutive day. As major energy infrastructure such as power grids has been destroyed, the worries of Ukrainian residents ahead of the winter season are deepening. Some analysts suggest that Russia is attempting to weaponize the winter.

According to the British daily The Guardian on the 11th, in Lviv, western Ukraine, residents were urged to prepare emergency heating methods, such as stockpiling firewood in advance, anticipating inevitable disruptions to power and heating supplies.

The Guardian reported, "Lviv is about 80 km from the Polish border and has been considered a safe area from Russian bombings until now," adding, "However, the Russian military attacks over the two days of the 10th and 11th have changed everything."

Andriy Sadovyi, mayor of Lviv, said at a press conference, "Probably the worst time for our country is approaching," and "We must prepare for difficult times." He emphasized the need to prepare emergency heating methods in the old-fashioned way, such as stockpiling firewood and purchasing heaters.

Currently, power supply disruptions have occurred, including the shutdown of four substations in Lviv due to the bombings. Mayor Sadovyi said, "To restart the substations, transformers are needed, but none are available," and "It is difficult to predict what will happen tomorrow." He urged, "All shelters must be equipped with heaters and firewood," adding, "It takes one to three days to repair the power grid, and during that time, we must survive. We must survive the enemy’s weapons of cold, fear, and destruction."

Lviv residents are trembling with anxiety. Yuri Blakhin (33) recently purchased a diesel generator but expressed fear that it might not be enough to get through the winter.

On the 11th (local time), citizens of Lviv, Ukraine, visited a grocery store that lost power due to a missile strike. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to Ukrainian authorities, 30% of major energy infrastructure has been targeted in concentrated attacks. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said in an interview with CNN on the same day, "This is the first time Russia has launched missile attacks targeting energy-related infrastructure," claiming, "Because when Ukraine exports electricity to Europe, European countries can save on Russian gas and coal." However, he added, "Ukraine’s energy situation is still stable."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the international community for support, including air defense systems. At the Group of Seven (G7) summit that day, he said, "If Ukraine receives sufficient support for modern and efficient air defense systems, the core of Russian terrorism?the rocket attacks?will also stop."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.