How Soviet urban planning is helping Russia freeze Ukraine

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 3 min read 100% complete January 24, 2026 at 02:56 PM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Ukraine is experiencing a severe winter as Russia targets energy infrastructure, leaving many without heating, particularly in Kyiv. Recent attacks on January 9, 20, and 24 have disrupted heating for thousands of apartment blocks, impacting daily life for residents who face unpredictable access to basic utilities. A significant portion of Ukraine's population, particularly in cities like Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, relies on Soviet-era communal central heating systems, making them vulnerable to widespread disruption when plants are targeted. Before the 2022 invasion, approximately 11 million Ukrainian households used central heating. These centralized systems, common in former Soviet countries, are now exacerbating the crisis, as damage to large heating plants affects vast numbers of people simultaneously.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Maksym Rohalsky 35% Yuriy Korolchuk 40% Vitaliy Shevchenko 40% Zaporizhzhia 50% BBC ×250% Kyivteploenergo 60% Vitaly Klitschko 60% Soviet Union 60% Kyiv ×685% Russia ×590% Ukraine ×695%

Keywords

central heating 100% russian attacks 90% energy infrastructure 90% soviet urban planning 80% heating infrastructure 80% kyiv 70% apartment blocks 70% electricity supplies 60% winter 50%

Sentiment Analysis

Very Negative

Score: -0.70

Source Transparency

Source

BBC News - World

Political Lean

Center (0.00)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Ukraine

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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central heating russian attacks energy infrastructure soviet urban planning heating infrastructure kyiv apartment blocks electricity supplies winter

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