Summary
Russia has been targeting Ukraine's heating infrastructure, leaving many residents without heat amid freezing temperatures. Soviet-era buildings in Ukraine rely on centralized heating systems, making these attacks particularly impactful.
Key Facts
- Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy systems have left about a million people without heating.
- Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, has been a frequent target; recent strikes left 6,000 apartment blocks without heat.
- Many buildings in Ukraine use centralized heating systems supplied by large plants.
- These centralized systems are vulnerable to attacks, as they serve many homes at once.
- An estimated 11 million households in Ukraine depend on centralized heating.
- The Soviet urban design focused on mass-produced housing with shared heating infrastructure.
- In Zaporizhzhia, a significant portion of the population relies on communal central heating.
- Ukrainian officials have set up warming tents to help residents cope with the lack of heat.
