Ukraine's heating disrupted after strikes reportedly guided by Soviet-era system knowledge

Russian strikes around 20 January left thousands of Kyiv apartments without heating and power, officials reported; Ukrainian officials and analysts say familiarity with Soviet-era, centralised energy systems has been cited as a factor in targeting infrastructure.

Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in mid‑January left large areas without heat and power during an extreme winter. Kyiv reported that after attacks on 20 January around 5,600 apartment buildings lost heating and almost half the city was without heat and power, affecting about one million people. Authorities restored heating to roughly 1,600 buildings while an estimated 4,000 remained without heat on 21 January. Ukrainian officials and analysts have cited the country's legacy Soviet‑era, centralised energy and district heating systems as a factor in how damage has spread. Reported facts: - Around 5,600 apartment buildings in Kyiv were reported without heating after strikes on 20 January, affecting about one million people. - Authorities reported restoring heat to about 1,600 buildings, with an estimated 4,000 still without heating on 21 January. - Officials and analysts have pointed to Soviet‑era centralised energy and district heating systems as a factor that can make infrastructure damage more widespread. Summary: The reported strikes have disrupted hospitals, transport and left many vulnerable people without heating during severe cold. Undetermined at this time.