Zelensky declared Kyiv's near-total failure to implement winter preparation plan
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the Kyiv city authorities almost completely failed to implement the necessary measures within the framework of preparing the capital for the heating season. As a result, additional tasks regarding the implementation of the resilience plan were defined for Kyiv. The statement was made against the background of an ongoing dispute between central and city authorities regarding the implementation and financing of measures to protect critical infrastructure.
The head of state announced this on October 9 following a conference call with military personnel and government officials.
According to Zelensky, during the meeting they heard reports on the timelines for implementing comprehensive resilience plans, particularly in the Kyiv region and other regions.
The President emphasized that delays in implementing these measures are unacceptable, and the responsibility of the relevant ministry and regional administrations is personal.
"Separately, we defined tasks for Kyiv - due to the city authorities' almost complete failure to take the necessary steps", - Zelensky stated.
However, the President did not specify which exact measures were not implemented by the capital authorities and what specific results are now required from Kyiv.
Klitschko previously accused central authorities of failing to fulfill agreements
Kyiv's preparation for the 2026-2027 heating season has been accompanied by disagreements between city authorities and state bodies for several months.
On July 6, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko publicly called for convening a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council to consider problems with the implementation of Kyiv's Comprehensive Resilience Plan.
According to the mayor, the document was developed and presented to the NSDC on March 3. A week later, on March 10, it was approved by the Kyiv City Council and transferred to the government, NSDC, and Presidential Office.
Klitschko claimed that central authorities are not fulfilling agreements on 50/50 co-financing of measures, and are not resolving organizational and regulatory issues necessary for project implementation.
The mayor also stated that Kyiv has not received documentary confirmation of the previously announced allocation of UAH 10 billion in state funding.
According to Klitschko, instead of concrete decisions to help the capital, state structures were raising claims about prepared documents.
He called for abandoning political disputes and establishing cooperation to ensure the city's economy functions in winter.
At that, the capital authorities insisted that they are independently financing part of the measures, using the city budget, domestic borrowing, and loans from international financial institutions.
КМДА reported on completed work and raised funds
On August 5, Klitschko presented an updated report on the implementation of the capital's resilience plan at a NSDC meeting.
According to the Kyiv City State Administration, the initial cost estimate for measures was reduced from UAH 67 billion to UAH 37 billion after revising priorities and financial capabilities.
Of this amount, UAH 31 billion was attributable to projects of national significance. At the same time, taking into account additional city measures, the total financial volume of work that the capital was supposed to provide, Klitschko estimated at about UAH 22 billion.
As of early August, according to the mayor, Kyiv had accumulated over UAH 10 billion for the implementation of the plan, including raising UAH 5.2 billion in loan funds.
The city administration also reported on the results of individual work:
- restoration of damaged energy facilities was 65% complete;
- the average level of completion of engineering and technical protection works at city-responsible facilities was 66%;
- new cogeneration units already provided approximately 57.6 MW of electricity output to the general grid;
- for backup power of water supply systems, three diesel power plants with a total capacity of 16.7 MW were built.
The city also planned to increase cogeneration capacity to 200 MW by the end of the year and complete construction of backup power plants for water supply with a total capacity of 40 MW.
In September, Klitschko reported that the capital had completed about 80% of the set of measures for preparing for the heating season, and the centralized heating system was 90% ready for winter.
At the same time, these indicators pertained to a broader set of preparatory works, including ongoing repairs and maintenance. They do not necessarily reflect the level of implementation of individual tasks of the Comprehensive Resilience Plan that Zelensky spoke about on October 9.
NSDC assigned personal responsibility to the mayor
On August 31, Zelensky signed Decree No. 838/2026, enacting the NSDC decision on the implementation of regional resilience plans and Ukraine's preparation for the heating season.
As previously reported by "Kurs Ukraine", the document separately defined the obligations of the capital authorities and the personal responsibility of the Kyiv mayor for preparation and stable passing of winter.
КМДА, Kyiv City Council, and the mayor, together with relevant ministries and state enterprises, must ensure timely implementation of Kyiv's Comprehensive Resilience Plan.
Responsible bodies are obliged to report to the NSDC and Cabinet of Ministers monthly by the 10th day on the status of implementation of defined measures.
At the same time, the document imposes obligations not only on city authorities. The Government is instructed to continue co-financing the Kyiv plan in the amount specified in it and to seek additional sources of funds, including among international partners.
Among the key tasks are strengthening physical protection of critical infrastructure, creating reserves of equipment and fuel, ensuring alternative power supply, and increasing autonomy of heat and water supply systems.
Capital's preparation sees new attacks on the energy system
The latest aggravation of the dispute between the President and Kyiv authorities occurred after a new wave of Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
On October 9, "Ukrenergo" reported damage to electricity transmission facilities and an increase in the maximum volume of hourly outages to 2.5 shifts in some regions.
In Kyiv and the Kyiv region, emergency power supply restrictions were also applied during the day.
Zelensky emphasized that restoration of damaged power grids continues around the clock. He also reported on updated needs of Ukraine for energy equipment and additional air defense means.
As of October 9, central and city authorities publicly demonstrate different assessments of the implementation of Kyiv's winter preparation measures. At the same time, a detailed up-to-date report with a list of unfulfilled tasks, which the President refers to, is not present in his statement.
Based on materials from: Volodymyr Zelensky, Vitali Klitschko,КМДА
