While the situation on the front is still “difficult and painful”, the Ukrainian president said that Ukrainian energy infrastructure was still damaged by Russian strikes.
“The shutdowns continue.” During his daily address to the Ukrainian people, Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday that 9 million of his compatriots were still without electricity.
“Tonight, about 9 million people are disconnected in various regions of Ukraine. But the number and duration of blackouts continue to gradually decrease,” he said.
He then added: “I thank everyone who made this result possible.”
For several weeks, Russian strikes targeted on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have cut off electricity and heating throughout the country.
The Ukrainian president also said he had held a “special meeting” with government officials to better anticipate and react to strikes on energy infrastructure.
“We are preparing for next year – and not just for the winter months. There are threats that we must eliminate,” he said.
A “difficult and painful” situation in the Donbass
In the first part of his speech, Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the fighting in the Donbass. According to him, the situation is “difficult and painful” and requires all the “strength and concentration” of the nation.
“The occupier is deploying all the resources at its disposal there, and they are considerable, in order to make progress,” he added.
The Donbass region is notably home to the cities of Kreminna and Bakhmout. The latter is one of the strongest points of tension on the front line. Volodymyr Zelensky had also gone there the day before his trip to the United States where he offered the elected members of Congress a Ukrainian flag signed by the fighters of the city.
