After just six weeks of intense bombing of energy infrastructure, Russia has battered Ukraine to the brink of a humanitarian disaster this winter as millions of people potentially face life-threatening conditions without electricity, heat or running water.<\/p>\n
As the scope of damage to Ukraine\u2019s energy systems has come into focus in recent days, Ukrainian and Western officials have begun sounding the alarm but are also realizing they have limited recourse. Ukraine\u2019s Soviet-era power system cannot be fixed quickly or easily. In some of the worst-hit cities, there is little officials can do other than to urge residents to flee \u2014 raising the risk of economic collapse in Ukraine and a spillover refugee crisis in neighboring European countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cPut simply, this winter will be about survival,\u201d Hans Henri P. Kluge, regional director for the World Health Organization, told reporters on Monday in Kyiv, saying the next months could be \u201clife-threatening for millions of Ukrainians.\u201d<\/p>\n
Already, snow has fallen across much of Ukraine and temperatures are dipping below freezing in many parts of the country. Kluge said that 2 million to 3 million Ukrainians were expected to leave their homes \u201cin search of warmth and safety,\u201d though it was unclear how many would remain inside the country.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n After just six weeks of intense bombing of energy infrastructure, Russia has battered Ukraine to the brink of a humanitarian disaster this winter as millions of people potentially face life-threatening conditions without electricity, heat or running water.https:\/\/t.co\/mOe2GjUDoW<\/a><\/p>\n — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 23, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n