Ukraine braces for harsh winter after bombing of energy infrastructure

In a business in Lviv, customers light up on mobile phones after a power cut caused by Russian bombardments on the city, October 11, 2022. REUTERS - STRINGER

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The Russian army continues its wave of strikes targeting critical and energy infrastructure in Ukraine.

Tuesday, October 11, the bombings spared kyiv, but several power and thermal power stations were affected.

This was the case in the Lviv and Vinnytsia regions, where the technical services are trying to restore the installations as quickly as possible.

A race against the clock, so the damage is piling up and the heating season is about to begin.

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With our correspondent in Kiev,

Ukrainians hunker down, but

.

According to the Minister of Energy, Herman Haluschchenko, the Russian army has bombed since Monday, October 10, 30% of Ukrainian energy infrastructure, mainly power plants, powered by coal.

These are of paramount importance, as collective heating in Ukraine must be activated around October 15 for the entire winter season.

The Ukrainian authorities have asked residents to reduce their energy consumption, while

, several districts are experiencing power and water cuts during long hours.

Old fashioned winter

In anticipation, the price of wood and firewood pellets has risen sharply in recent weeks, while there is a shortage of commercial diesel electric generators.

At least 12 energy installations, in 8 different regions, have been targeted.

Installations that can be crucial for the survival of the Ukrainian population, while the temperatures are starting to drop and we are approaching winter (…) It is just intolerable.

Directly targeting civilian infrastructure is a war crime.

Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Jeremiah Lance

In cities and countryside, residents are bracing for an old-fashioned winter, while Kyiv hopes for energy supplies from its European partners.

But for the government, the best way to end the crisis would be for the international community to provide air defense systems.

They would prevent Russia from systematically destroying the entire energy system.

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• Ukraine

• Russia

• Energies