Ukraine Klitschko advises citizens of Kiev to leave the city
Following the heavy Russian airstrike on Kiev, Mayor Vitali Klitschko has advised residents to temporarily leave the city of three million people. 6,000 apartment blocks, half of the apartment buildings in the Ukrainian capital, could not be heated at the moment, Klitschko wrote on Telegram. "The city services are working in emergency mode."
09.01.2026, 17:39
SDA
Last night's attack was the most serious of the war so far for Kiev's infrastructure. The situation is exacerbated by the harsh winter. Anyone who can find energy and warmth elsewhere should temporarily leave the capital, Klitschko wrote.
This was not an official call for evacuation, but was intended as advice to Kiev residents to go to their stove-heated dachas or stay with relatives and friends in less affected areas.
500,000 consumers without electricity
According to the energy ministry, around 500,000 consumer points in the capital and the surrounding area were without electricity on Friday morning. According to a count by the Ukrainian air force, the Russian army attacked Kiev during the night with more than 200 drones and dozens of rockets and cruise missiles. At least four people were killed. President Volodymyr Selensky announced that 20 apartment blocks had been damaged.
Russia has been waging a devastating war against neighboring Ukraine for almost four years.
