Electricity Shutdowns in Eight Ukrainian Regions Due to Bad Weather Conditions

Ukraine’s national grid operator, Ukrenergo, has announced emergency electricity shutdowns in eight regions due to bad weather conditions. The shutdowns have been caused by storms, wind, snow and rain in seven regions of western Ukraine and in the southern region of Odesa, resulting in blackouts for consumers. Furthermore, electricity distribution networks in the Kharkiv region in the northeast, Zaporizhzhia in the southeast and Kherson in the south have been damaged during recent shelling. Ukrenergo has stated that a difficult situation with electricity supply remains in the regions along the front line where the enemy constantly damages the networks with artillery fire. The energy system has survived despite months of attacks that have at times left millions of people without electricity, heating or water. Officials say about 40% of the energy system has been damaged, and teams of workers continue repairs to restore power and strengthen the energy system. Weather forecasters expect weather conditions to further deteriorate this week.