Zelensky and Klitschko clash over Kyiv power and water outages

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko have traded sharp statements over the energy crisis in the capital. Zelensky said the situation is worst in Kyiv, where residents and businesses face long power and water outages. Klitschko accused the government of manipulation.

How the dispute began

Zelensky spoke first. In a Telegram post, he wrote that “people and businesses are facing prolonged power and water outages, and these challenges are very serious.” He blamed the failure to carry out city-level decisions in preparing for the heating season, at a time when Russia continues to strike Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Klitschko’s reply came quickly. The mayor accused the government of dragging its feet on approving a plan to make the capital more resilient, and called Zelensky’s criticism “constant manipulation.” According to him, the government’s mantra is that Kyiv is always the worst off, but that is a lie. Klitschko also said Kyiv started its heating season as early as October 16.

The mayor accused the central government of trying to get rid of him by any means: putting up obstacles, not helping the city and, in effect, destroying Kyiv. Klitschko called the government’s statements “disgusting” toward Kyivans, and especially toward power engineers and other specialists who risk their lives under shelling and “do the nearly impossible around the clock.”

Generators are back on the streets

Ukraine is now in its fifth year of fighting off Russia’s large-scale aggression, during which the Russian army has been hitting the country’s energy system. Last winter temperatures fell to minus 20 degrees Celsius, and many people were left without electricity, heating and water. In recent weeks, reports of power supply disruptions have been coming in again.

Ukraine lacks the air defense systems needed to shoot down fast missiles and drones. As temperatures approach zero, the noise of generators has returned to the streets of Kyiv. Water and power outages last for hours and are more frequent than in previous years, and the shortage of electricity often brings the Kyiv metro to a halt as well.

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