Zelensky, Kyiv mayor clash over winter preparedness plans

President Zelensky has criticized Kyiv officials for their winter preparations, drawing a sharp rebuke from Mayor Klitschko.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated today that he held a meeting to hear reports on emergency response plans across Ukraine's cities and regions, as temperatures drop with the approach of winter.

“As of October, the implementation of plans to maintain essential operations in most places across the country, even along the borders and front lines, has progressed better than in Kyiv. Kyiv residents certainly feel this, as just a few scattered Russian drone attacks are enough to cause widespread power and water outages in the capital,” he said.

President Zelensky (left) and Mayor Klitschko (right). *Photo: AFP, X/Vitaliy Klychko*

Zelensky has initiated consultations on emergency security and administrative measures to address the situation, aiming to accelerate the implementation of plans to strengthen Kyiv's resilience. Several proposals were made, including: reinforcing the defense network for energy facilities and critical infrastructure, coordinating with the government and military, and modifying administrative and operational procedures in Kyiv.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko subsequently refuted claims that the city had not adequately planned its response for winter. “Baseless accusations of failures in winter preparations are being spread by information channels linked to the central government,” he said.

Mayor Klitschko also criticized the Ukrainian government for seeking to “systematically weaken the local self-governance system, not only in Kyiv, by removing leaders based on fabricated reasons.”

“I was elected by the people and am working tirelessly, doing everything possible under extremely difficult conditions to be worthy of their trust, and to ensure the city continues to operate despite continuous and intense attacks from the enemy,” Klitschko stated.

Russian UAV destroys power pole during an attack on 30/9. *Video: X/AMK Mapping*

Mayor Klitschko, who has served since 2014, began to clash with President Zelensky shortly after Zelensky took office in 2019. Klitschko accused Zelensky's administration of "an illegal conspiracy to limit the mayor's powers."

The capital, Kyiv, with a population of about 3 million people, has recently endured continuous missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks from Russia. Kyiv officials have had to implement rolling and emergency power cuts to reduce strain on the power grid, leaving many parts of the city in darkness and halting subway system operations.

Klitschko stated last week that Kyiv is in a state of “survival mode” due to attacks occurring around the clock. This has also slowed the progress of building backup heating systems and stockpiling fuel, food, and drinking water in the city.

“If air defense systems perform poorly, we could still fall into a dire scenario, no matter how thoroughly we prepare. Finding someone to blame will not make people any warmer,” the Kyiv mayor noted.