Despite the threat of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure, the capital has enough resources to provide Kyiv residents with heat and electricity during winter.

This was stated by Volodymyr Omelchenko, Director of Energy Programs at the Razumkov Centre, on the KYIV24 television channel.

According to the expert, even in the case of successful Russian strikes on energy infrastructure, Kyiv has sufficient resilience thanks to diversified energy sources.

"I believe that we will still manage with 9 nuclear units and imports. We'll get through with those heating stations," Omelchenko emphasized.

The expert drew attention to an important fact often ignored in panic forecasts: heating in the capital is provided not only by large combined heat and power plants such as CHP-5 and CHP-6. The city operates about 60 mini-boiler facilities that can partially compensate for losses from damage to large facilities.

"Even if they manage to destroy CHP-5 and CHP-6, though that's not a certainty yet, some solutions will still be proposed—modular boiler houses, perhaps people will heat with electricity," Omelchenko explained.

In addition to existing infrastructure, authorities are considering additional options for providing heat to Kyiv residents. Among possible solutions are the installation of modular boiler facilities and the use of electric heaters in critical situations.

Don't Panic, Protect Instead

Omelchenko called on Kyiv residents not to give in to panic that some experts and Russian propaganda are trying to sow. Instead, he emphasized the need to strengthen protection of energy infrastructure.

"We'll get through the winter on some minimum level, there's no need to panic," the expert concluded.

At the same time, he emphasized the critical importance of strengthening air defense over key energy facilities in the capital, especially over Kyiv's main substation.

So, contrary to pessimistic forecasts from individual experts about a "technological catastrophe," the capital has sufficient resilience thanks to:

  • Nine nuclear units
  • Electricity imports
  • Major CHPs
  • About 60 mini-boiler facilities
  • Ability to rapidly deploy modular boiler houses
  • Reserve electric heating

According to Omelchenko, even in the worst-case scenario, Kyiv residents will be able to survive the winter, though possibly with certain comfort limitations.