Nearly 30% of schools in Kyiv are without heating due to Russian attacks on the energy network, leading to temporary school mergers to address the situation.
Recent reports from Ukrainian authorities indicate that close to 30% of schools in Kyiv are currently without heating. This situation has arisen as a direct consequence of relentless Russian missile and drone strikes targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, particularly over the past few months. These attacks have caused widespread outages in electricity, water supply, and heating networks, just as the region experiences an exceptionally cold winter with temperatures plummeting to -20 degrees Celsius.
In their response to this crisis, local officials in Kyiv have announced that a total of 315 schools and kindergartens are now functioning without heating. This emergency arises amid the ongoing conflict, which has seen intensified military action with profound impacts on civilian infrastructure. As winter progresses, the need for adequate heating in educational institutions has become critical, prompting the authorities to seek solutions that ensure student safety and continue educational activities.
To mitigate the disruption caused by the lack of heating in many facilities, the city plans to temporarily merge school facilities. This measure aims to consolidate resources and ensure that children can continue attending classes in a stable environment. The situation underscores the devastating effects of the war on everyday life in Ukraine, particularly on the education of children and the functioning of public services during an incredibly challenging season.
