Kyiv Mayor Urges Citizens to Evacuate Temporarily Amid Ongoing Heating Crisis from Russian Strikes

Mass heating failures attributed to Russian strikes on Kyiv are expected to continue through the weekend, as the mayor has urged residents to consider temporarily leaving the city due to plummeting sub-zero temperatures.

A significant missile and drone offensive on Kyiv resulted in four fatalities and severe damage to residential buildings. Additionally, Moscow targeted western Ukraine with its notorious Oreshnik ballistic missile, drawing sharp criticism from European nations.

The assault occurred shortly after Moscow dismissed a proposal from Kyiv and its Western partners to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine should a ceasefire be established.

Journalists from AFP reported witnessing residents seeking shelter late Thursday night amid the wailing of air raid sirens, with Russian drones hitting residential areas and missiles being launched above the city.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at a meeting in Kyiv with British Defense Secretary John Healy, remarked, «Moscow is attempting to weaponize the cold against us.»

He noted that around 20 residential structures, including the Qatari embassy, suffered damage in one of the most significant attacks on the capital in recent months.

Qatar expressed «deep regret» over the damage to its embassy but stated that none of its personnel were harmed.

According to Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, approximately half of the apartment buildings in Kyiv, totaling around 6,000, are without heating.

Temperatures in the city are predicted to reach minus 15 degrees Celsius by Saturday.

Officials expressed optimism that some heating services could be restored by Friday night.

Ukraine’s Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba commented, «In some regions where the damage is greater, we will need additional time to address the issues.»

Klitschko described the situation as «very difficult,» urging residents who can to vacate the city temporarily for locations that have alternative heating sources.

City officials reported that 1,200 warming centers had been established.

Among the four casualties was a medic who perished in a follow-up strike on a building. An additional 26 people sustained injuries.

Nina, a 70-year-old resident of one of the affected buildings, expressed her frustration, saying, «While the world discusses a potential deal to conclude the conflict, Russia continues its deadly assaults.»

Her neighbor, Kostiantyn Kondratchenko, 58, recounted fighting a blaze on the second floor from a drone strike using a garden hose.

This latest barrage is part of a prolonged series of attacks on Ukraine amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts for a resolution in what has been Europe’s bloody conflict since World War II.

Russia appears undeterred in its ground and aerial offensives.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the Oreshnik missile was aimed at «strategic targets,» marking only the second reported deployment of this new weapon, which the Kremlin claims is unimpeded.

Ukrainian officials indicated that a ballistic missile traveling «at approximately 13,000 kilometers [8,000 miles] per hour» had struck infrastructure near the western city of Lviv, claiming the attack targeted «civilian infrastructure» without revealing specific damages.

The Oreshnik is categorized as an intermediate-range ballistic missile with capabilities for both nuclear and conventional payloads.

Officials in the Lviv region reported that radiation levels remained within normal parameters following the launch.

France, Germany, and the UK condemned Moscow’s «aggressive and unacceptable» use of the Oreshnik, as stated by a UK government representative after discussions among the leaders of the three nations.

In Russia’s Belgorod region, the governor reported that over half a million people were left without power or heating due to a Ukrainian attack on local utilities.

Despite extensive diplomatic initiatives led by U.S. President Donald Trump, a resolution to the conflict continues to be elusive.

Moscow expressed reservations this week after European leaders and U.S. representatives outlined plans for post-war guarantees for Ukraine, which would involve a U.S.-led monitoring system and a multinational peacekeeping force.

Russia criticized the proposal as «dangerous» and «destructive.»

Key territorial disputes remain unresolved as Russia insists on complete control of the Donbas region, part of which remains under the control of Kyiv.

Currently, Russia occupies around 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Since the invasion that began in February 2022, tens of thousands have lost their lives, millions have been displaced, and significant portions of eastern and southern Ukraine have been devastated.