Pipes did not survive the winter and officials: Ukrainians risk being left without heat in winter.

Heating problems in Kryvyi Rih due to the critical condition of the heating network

Energy and utilities expert Oleg Popenko stated that due to the dangerous condition of the heating network in Kryvyi Rih, the city's residents may be left without heating in the upcoming heating season. To provide heat for 300 thousand people, 800 kilometers of heat pipes need to be repaired, which have not received any maintenance in the last 30 years.

Catastrophic state of heating infrastructure

Heating problems in Kryvyi Rih began last year when a tragedy occurred due to the lack of heat for a great part of the winter: four people died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to contaminated flue gas ducts. Representatives of 'Kryvyi Rih-Teplocentral' acknowledged the problem but complain about the lack of qualified workers, which complicates solving the situation.

'We do not have enough people to keep up with everything on time. We are doing everything possible, but we cannot guarantee that everyone will receive heat,' Popenko noted.

National problem

Oleg Popenko emphasized that the situation in Kryvyi Rih is just one of many cases of problems in utilities at the national level. Currently, the shortage of qualified workers in the sector is 65%, and those who work usually have low salaries. Without radical changes in this sector, Ukrainian cities may witness 'natural extinction' due to the neglect of communal infrastructure.

Kryvyi Rih, with a population of about 600 thousand, may face a serious heating crisis that will affect hundreds of thousands of its residents.

In summary: The expert noted the critical state of the heating network in Kryvyi Rih, which could lead to a lack of heating for hundreds of thousands of the city's residents. Heating problems in this city are only a partial reflection of the nationwide problem of inadequate maintenance of communal infrastructure and the shortage of qualified workers in the utilities sector.