- Russian forces withdrew from the southern city of Kherson last week — a major victory for Ukraine.
- Civilians are facing difficulties because of the destruction to their power infrastructures and the plunging temperatures.
- A top Ukrainian official stated that the government will assist anyone who wishes to evacuate the city.
Ukrainian officials offer to evacuate residents from Kherson, the newly liberated city. They fear that the crumbled power infrastructure could lead to a catastrophic winter freeze.
Iryna Veselchuk, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, said on Saturday at a televised news conference that some people in Mykolaiv or Kherson have expressed their desire to move out of the area and that Ukraine would support them. The New York Times reported.
According to The Times: “Currently, we’re not talking about forced evacuate,” she said. “But even if voluntary evacuation is possible, it is up to the state to transport them. They must be taken to where they will spend winter.
Vereshchuk confirmed that evacuations will be possible within the next days. He suggested that Mykolaiv be used as a point of transit before moving people west to safer parts of the country.
Mykolaiv is located about 40 miles (65 km) northwest of Kherson.
Moscow placed an order last week for a Retirement of troops in Kherson — the largest city that was occupied by Russian forces since the start of the invasion in February. This was one of the biggest victories for Ukraine after Russia invaded.
While the city was celebrating its liberation, officials expressed concerns that the cold winter, lack of heating water and other basic necessities could lead to a humanitarian crisis.
Kherson, like all of the country, is experiencing a severe shortage of electricity, heat, and water after the Russian forces. A series of airstrikes was launchedLast month’s critical power stations and water supplies.
Russian forces destroyed two important power-providing plants in the area during their retreat from Kherson. This plunged thousands into darkness, Volodymyr Kubitskyi, chief of Ukraine’s electricity grid operator Ukrenergo, announced last week.
Kudrytskyi called Russians a “vile horde” that is capable of only destruction in a Facebook posting.
Some Kherson residents The GuardianThey’re trying their best to get as much wood as possible in order to keep warm.
“I’ve already begun using the product.” burzhuikaKateryna, a 71 year-old resident of Ukraine, said that she was referring to the country’s traditional homemade welded-metal stove. To protect myself from the cold, I will have to wail my arms and search for wood every single day. And it won’t be easy at my ripe old age.
However, Ukrainian officials already advised not to enter the woods without first asking permission. This is because they are concerned about their safety. You might tripwires and mines or unexploded shells.The Guardian reported that Russian forces left them behind.
Last week saw the arrival in Ukraine of the first snow, the beginning of what could prove to be the most difficult winter in Ukraine’s recent history.
It’s not only Kherson who is having trouble. Officials in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, are considering a complete evacuation as they are not able to maintain their electricity supply.
Roman Tkachuk was the director of security at the Kyiv municipal council. He stated, “We understand that Russia may continue such attacks,” The New York Times in January.
The World Health Organization said last monthAccess to electricity and fuel in Ukraine is a matter of life and death.
