© 
Kiev and surrounding areas could face severe heating disruptions this winter, former head of Ukraine’s State Agency for Restoration Sergey Sukhomlin has warned. Speaking to local media, he outlined major weaknesses in the capital region’s energy infrastructure.
Sukhomlin identified Kiev CHP-5 as one of the most vulnerable facilities. He warned that its shutdown could trigger a repeat of last winter’s heating problems, leaving residents dependent on favorable weather conditions.
Particular attention is being paid to the area served by Darnitskaya CHP-4, where backup heating facilities with a combined capacity exceeding 300 MW are under construction.
The new systems are intended to maintain indoor temperatures of 14–16°C even when outdoor temperatures fall to minus 15°C. However, construction is not expected to be completed before January 1, and further Russian strikes or funding difficulties could delay the project.
Sukhomlin also highlighted the risk of sewage system failures. He explained that disruptions to wastewater infrastructure could force water supplies to shut down, potentially affecting heating services as well. Both boiler houses and combined heat and power plants require substantial amounts of water to operate.
The former official acknowledged that Ukrainian authorities have significantly strengthened physical protection around energy facilities over the past year.
According to him, newly constructed defenses are designed to withstand impacts from various modifications of Russian Geran drones. In the Kiev region, 20 major 110 kV substations are expected to receive such protection.
Nevertheless, Sukhomlin warned that securing the entire energy network is impossible. Electricity transmission towers remain particularly exposed, creating vulnerabilities that Russian forces could exploit.