Zelensky: Kyiv not properly prepared for winter

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday accused Kyiv’s local authorities of failing to adequately prepare the capital for the coming winter while the country remains at war.

In his regular video address to the nation, Zelensky said: "Every resident of Kyiv can see that the city really is not prepared." He warned that recent drone and missile strikes have interrupted electricity and water supplies and that the capital faces additional challenges linked to shelters, school readiness, the physical protection of key facilities and the operation of public transport.

Social media users and residents have sharply criticized the city administration after power outages caused by the attacks in recent days. Zelensky said Kyiv is lagging behind other regions in implementing measures to get ready for winter, though he did not name the mayor.

He added that practical solutions are needed and that he has discussed the issue with officials from other regions, including the mayor of Kharkiv.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko rejected the criticism, saying Kyiv has been the main target of particularly intense Russian attacks for weeks. He told reporters, "The city's mayor is not responsible for air defence."

Klitschko described the allegations as an assault on local self-government intended to replace him with a more loyal mayor. He said: "People elected me and I am doing everything in my power under the hardest conditions to justify the trust of Kyiv residents, so that the city will continue to function amid devastating enemy attacks."

Photo: press material from the event