Emergency power cuts affected multiple cities in Ukraine and Moldova on Saturday, as confirmed by officials. The outages were attributed to a technical issue impacting power lines connecting the two countries, leading to a significant disruption in Ukraine’s power grid. Reports indicated blackouts in Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Kharkiv regions, with water supplies in Kyiv impacted and the subway temporarily halted due to low voltage.
Moldova also faced major power outages, including in its capital, Chisinau, due to the loss of power lines from Ukraine triggering an automatic protection system. Despite the challenges, officials urged the public to remain calm until electricity was restored. These incidents followed ongoing Russian strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, exacerbating the already difficult situation during an exceptionally harsh winter.
The severe weather conditions, with temperatures expected to plummet to -30°C in some areas, have intensified the struggle for civilians. Amid these challenges, U.S. President Donald Trump disclosed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to a temporary halt in targeting Kyiv and other Ukrainian locations during the extreme cold spell. This development sets the stage for upcoming negotiations involving U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian representatives in Abu Dhabi, aiming to address key obstacles to achieving peace in the region.
While the pause in strikes was seen as a positive step by Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Russia’s intentions, given the lack of progress towards a comprehensive resolution to the conflict. Despite the uncertainties, residents in affected areas like Kyiv continue to endure hardships, with many voicing doubts about the prospects for a swift and lasting peace agreement.
