Ukraine Braces for Its Hardest Winter Since Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion, UN Official Warns

De Croo, the former prime minister of Belgium, warned the BBC that Ukraine was facing its most difficult winter since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

He said the country entered the season from an exceptionally weak position and expressed deep concern about how the crisis could unfold.

De Croo said Russia’s repeated attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure were driving the fears.

“This includes petrol stations, shopping malls and business centres, but especially energy infrastructure, transmission lines and other critical facilities. There is no justification for these attacks,” he said.

In the worst-case scenario, Ukrainians could struggle to obtain the energy needed for heating while water and sewage systems ceased operating.

At such temperatures, De Croo warned, the situation could approach a humanitarian catastrophe.

Winter temperatures in Ukraine can fall to -20C.

Severe damage to power supplies and other critical infrastructure could cause substantial human suffering, he said.

As part of Ukraine’s winter preparations, the UN Development Programme is helping to rebuild sections of the energy system damaged last winter. It is also supporting the development of sustainable, decentralised power facilities that are less vulnerable to attacks.

De Croo described the reconstruction effort as an exceptionally difficult and dangerous undertaking.

“They are rebuilding these sites while air alarms sound almost constantly. They know they are working at a target, but there are times during the day when it is simply too dangerous to continue,” he said.

Source link