Kharkiv is one of the most vulnerable cities in Ukraine this winter: EU Ambassador Mathernova

Kharkiv, along with Kyiv and Odesa, is one of the most vulnerable cities in Ukraine this winter. This was stated by the Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine Katarina Maternova v comments to the correspondent of “Dumka” newspaper, answering questions about the potential increase in the number of Ukrainian refugees to the EU due to possible winter difficulties.

Maternova noted that the situation in winter will largely depend on the extent to which Russian shelling will damage Ukrainian infrastructure.

“I think it depends on the degree of destruction that Russia will cause in Ukraine. I very much hope that collectively Ukrainians, the Ukrainian authorities and international partners will be able to equip and strengthen Ukraine sufficiently before winter. But it is still unknown how much destruction there will be inflicted by Russia. I think it will also affect people’s willingness and desire to flee if they have to live in a blackout and cold.”, – emphasized the ambassador.

She also mentioned that this spring Russian troops almost completely destroyed the heat generation system in Kharkiv, which makes the city particularly vulnerable. To the question whether Kharkiv can be called the most vulnerable, Maternova answered:

“I think that Kharkiv is one of the three most vulnerable cities in Ukraine. It is also Kyiv and Odesa. Because it has the highest consumption (of energy – ed.) among cities. Much of the infrastructure is very, very damaged in the case of Kharkiv. How do you they said, almost completely destroyed.”

The ambassador added that a significant amount of equipment to ensure the passage of the heating season, as well as many mobile installations, had already been delivered to Kharkiv. She emphasized that international partners are making efforts to help the city avoid an energy crisis in winter.

We will remind you that on March 20, 2024, Russian troops launched more than 20 missile strikes on TPP-5, TPP-3 and several substations in Kharkiv, as a result of which TPP-5, which supplied the city with heat and electricity, suffered significant destruction. Its restoration will take several years, reports the administration of TPP-5. The local authorities plan to decentralize the heat supply system and install modular cogeneration plants around the city in preparation for the next heating season.