Heating Crisis in Kharkiv: Over 110,000 Homes Left in the Cold Amid Sub-Zero Temperatures.

Heating Crisis in Kharkiv: Over 110,000 Homes Left in the Cold Amid Sub-Zero Temperatures

According to TSN.ua: A large-scale attack on critical infrastructure has plunged the city of Kharkiv into a local state of emergency, leaving more than 110,000 homes without heating. The crisis is compounded by frigid air temperatures reaching -20 degrees Celsius. This attack on Ukraine's second-largest city is part of a wider pattern of strikes on energy systems that have devastated the country. A separate strike on a residential building in the Saltivskyi district on February 3, 2026, caused catastrophic damage: the fire destroyed three floors of the building, killing at least seven people and injuring several others.

The assault, which occurred around midday, critically damaged one of Kharkiv's thermal power plants (CHPP). This damage forced authorities to drain water from the heating systems of 820 apartment blocks to prevent even greater losses from burst pipes. As Mayor Ihor Terekhov explained,

"In such severe frost, draining the coolant is the only solution to preserve the networks."

Kharkiv's Energy Collapse

In response to the unfolding disaster, 101 'Invincibility Points' are operating around the clock, providing residents with essential aid and shelter. Kharkiv is currently experiencing a severe energy collapse, and city officials are taking all possible measures to mitigate the attack's consequences and restore heat to residents.

This emergency starkly highlights the vulnerability of Ukraine's critical infrastructure, especially during wartime. Attacks on these facilities not only cause direct damage but also create severe hardships for civilians, particularly in winter when temperatures drop to dangerous levels. City and national authorities must focus efforts on repairing the damaged systems and ensuring the safety of residents going forward.