Ukraine Implements Rolling Blackouts as 30% of Power Grid Lost Due to Russian Bombing

Power Grid Destruction in Key Cities Including Kyiv
Heating and Hot Water Supply Also Facing Difficulties Ahead of Winter

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Ukrainian government announced that it will implement rolling blackouts after more than 30% of its major power grid was destroyed due to continuous airstrikes by Russia. With winter approaching, disruptions in heating and hot water supply are causing concerns about potential freezing-related accidents.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 18th (local time), rolling blackouts were carried out in major cities including the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and various regions. Approximately 30% of the power grid was damaged by Russian airstrikes, leading to large-scale blackouts in recent days. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed for shared sacrifice in a nationwide address the day before, stating, "We must reduce electricity usage during peak consumption hours," and "The entire country must get through this period more stably."

In Kyiv, measures such as turning off store and bank signboard lights and streetlights to reduce energy consumption are being implemented, and according to NYT, rolling blackouts or complete power outages have occurred depending on the regional power situation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern about a potential humanitarian crisis in Ukraine ahead of winter. In a statement, WHO pointed out, "Not being able to use fuel or electricity means not being able to heat homes, which is a matter of life and death." The United Nations Human Rights Council also warned that deliberately attacking civilian power facilities constitutes a war crime.

Disruptions in power supply have also caused difficulties in heating and hot water provision. According to NYT, the destruction of power grids in key areas has made it difficult to operate combined heat and power plants, resulting in many regions experiencing heating outages.

However, the Russian government denies attacking civilian facilities and claims it is targeting military bases. In a statement on the same day, the Russian Ministry of Defense asserted, "We conducted airstrikes on Ukraine’s military control and energy systems, launched long-range attacks targeting warehouses storing military weapons and equipment supplied from abroad, and all designated targets were neutralized."

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