Ukraine is preparing for a winter that Kiev describes as potentially the most difficult since the start of the full-scale conflict. According to CNBC, Russia is increasing the number of missile strikes, while a shortage of air-defence systems is significantly complicating the protection of critical facilities.
“It is obvious that winter is approaching, and last winter was very difficult for Ukraine and for major cities in general. This winter will not be easier — and may even be harder,” Iryna Terekh, CEO of the Ukrainian company Fire Point, told CNBC.
A similar forecast was given by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Oleksiy Shmyhal in an interview with Politico. He warned that the energy system and water-supply networks may prove unable to function stably.
“It is difficult to live more than three days without water and sewage,” Shmyhal noted.
Ukrainian authorities point to the vulnerability of the energy system and related infrastructure, as well as constraints on the availability of air-defence assets.
