Ukraine war: Kyiv mayor Klitschko warns of evacuations if power lost

Kyiv residents should be prepared to leave the city if there is a total loss of power, mayor Vitaliy Klitschko told BBC.
In recent weeks, millions of Ukrainians have intermittently been left without electricity and water as Russian air strikes target vital infrastructure. Some 40% of Ukraine’s energy system has been damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks on power plants and lines.
Rolling power cuts are also in place to avoid overloads and to allow repairs.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia could be «concentrating forces and means for a possible repetition of mass attacks on our infrastructure, energy in the first instance».
The Geneva Conventions, which outline humanitarian standards for treatment in war, state that attacks should not be carried out against civilian objects. Speaking on Ukrainian television, Mayor Klitschko branded Russia’s targeting of infrastructure as «terrorism» and «genocide». Russian President Vladimir Putin «doesn’t need us Ukrainians. He needs territory, he needs Ukraine without us», the former heavyweight boxer said.
«That’s why everything that is happening now [strikes on infrastructure] is genocide. His task is for us to die, to freeze, or to make us flee our land so that he can have it.»
Officials in the capital city have warned that, in the case of a total blackout, water supply and sewerage will also stop working.
The mayor said that while authorities are doing «everything» to keep the lights on and water flowing, preparations are underway for different scenarios.
Kyiv’s three million residents should make arrangements to stay with friends or relatives who live in the suburbs who still have water and power, so that they have a plan in the «worst case» scenario if the supply to Kyiv is lost.
He added that the authorities were stocking up on fuel, food and water, and residents should do the same. At least 1 000 heating shelters are being set up across the city where people will be able to get warm in an emergency.
The mayor admitted that the city is preparing for the worst, but at the moment, there is no reason to flee Kyiv. Residents of Kyiv also understand that power could be lost and supplies could become scarce. Some prepare to leave Kyiv and have relocated their family to safer places. Others are ready to stay even if they should live in cold and dark apartments.
Read also: Zelenskyy: 30% of Ukraine’s power plants were destroyed in Russian massive attacks