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Kyiv mayor outlines emergency winter measures, thanks Warsaw for generator support

23.01.2026 16:41
Vitali Klitschko said on Friday that Kyiv authorities are implementing urgent steps to safeguard residents as the city faces harsh winter conditions and continued Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that the city has set up heating points in every district and urged residents to stock up on food, water, and medicines in preparation for extreme cold and ongoing Russian attacks. He also thanked the authorities in Warsaw for sending additional generators on Friday, 23 January 2026.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that the city has set up heating points in every district and urged residents to stock up on food, water, and medicines in preparation for extreme cold and ongoing Russian attacks. He also thanked the authorities in Warsaw for sending additional generators on Friday, 23 January 2026.Photo: Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/DPA/MARIA SENOVILLA/MAXYM MARUSENKO/PAP/EPA

In a morning post on 23 January on his Telegram channel, Klitschko announced that “Kyiv has designated heating points (resilience points) in every district of the city. In these locations, a large number of people can stay overnight if needed.”

He added that the facilities will be equipped with sleeping areas, heating devices, including mobile boilers, food, and hygiene supplies.

Kyiv authorities call on residents to prepare for extreme cold and power shortages

The mayor stressed the seriousness of the situation: “The capital, given the very difficult situation in the energy sector and understanding that the enemy, with high probability, will continue to attack the city’s and country’s critical infrastructure, is preparing to respond to various scenarios.

I address the residents and speak honestly: the situation is extremely difficult, and this may not yet be the most difficult moment. Stock up on food, water, and necessary medicines. Those who still have the option to leave the city for places with alternative sources of power and heat should not refuse.”

Klitschko also called on employers to implement flexible work schedules and, where possible, move employees to remote work.

He noted that “in each district, the first response unit, which collects information and organises work locally in coordination with the city headquarters, is the district state administration.”

Kyiv faces deepening energy crisis after renewed Russian strikes. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that around 600,000 people have fled the city in recent weeks as residents struggle to survive an energy crisis compounded by temperatures plunging to minus 20 degrees Celsius. Photo: MARIA SENOVILLA/PAP/EPA Kyiv faces deepening energy crisis after renewed Russian strikes. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that around 600,000 people have fled the city in recent weeks as residents struggle to survive an energy crisis compounded by temperatures plunging to minus 20 degrees Celsius. Photo: MARIA SENOVILLA/PAP/EPA

The city’s administration head emphasised that all city services must work in a coordinated manner to address urgent life-safety issues.

The politician concluded the morning update by highlighting the continuous operations of municipal services:

"Today all city services and Kyiv City State Administration departments are working 24/7 to ensure the city’s functioning during the emergency.

Utility workers continue to operate around the clock to provide essential services. Hospitals and social institutions are operational. We will withstand it! No matter how difficult it is!"

Kyiv mayor thanks Warsaw for urgent generator support

In a separate post around 1 p.m., Klitschko expressed his gratitude to Poland for its support, particularly the city of Warsaw:

“Thank you to our Polish friends! Thank you to the mayor of Kyiv’s sister city – Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski.

A few days ago, I reached out to partners of the Ukrainian capital for assistance in overcoming the emergency caused by enemy attacks on critical infrastructure, specifically to provide generators of various capacities.

Rafał called me personally and promised that Warsaw would help.

Already, 90 generators have been sent from Warsaw to Kyiv. They will be used to help Kyiv residents cope with the energy crisis that Russia has caused by mass attacks on infrastructure.”

Photo: Telegram/t.me/vitaliy_klitschko Photo: Telegram/t.me/vitaliy_klitschko

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Source: Polish Radio English Service/Telegram/t.me/vitaliy_klitschko