The
head of Ukraine's biggest private energy firm says people should
consider leaving the country to reduce demand on the country's power
network.
"If
they can find an alternative place to stay for another three or four
months, it will be very helpful to the system," DTEK chief executive
Maxim Timchenko told the BBC.
Russian attacks have damaged almost half of Ukraine's energy system.
Millions of people are without power as temperatures drop for winter.
Blackouts
- both scheduled and unscheduled - have become common in many parts of
Ukraine, as Russia aims regular waves of missile attacks at parts of the
energy infrastructure.
Earlier
this week, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested that the
strikes were a "consequence" of Ukraine's refusal to negotiate with
Russia.
Mr
Timchenko, whose company supplies more than a quarter of Ukraine's
power, says the system becomes less reliable with each Russian attack,
and reducing electricity consumption is the key to keeping it running.
The government has urged people to limit their use of domestic appliances such as ovens and washing machines.
But
the damaged energy system is still unable to produce enough electricity
to meet current needs, so any way of reducing usage - including leaving
the country - should be seen as helping Ukraine to win the war against
Russia, Mr Timchenko explained.
"If
you consume less, then hospitals with injured soldiers will have
guaranteed power supply. This is how it can be explained that by
consuming less or leaving, they also contribute to other people."
Russia's
attacks on infrastructure increased after a series of setbacks on the
battlefield, including a major Ukrainian counter-offensive in the
Kharkiv region and territorial gains in the south of the country, which
eventually led to the recapture of the city of Kherson.
With
temperatures in some parts of Ukraine already below freezing, there is
concern that millions of people will be left without power and heating
throughout the winter.
Until
now, blackouts have generally been limited to a few hours, but more
Russian attacks could lead to longer periods without power. Fixing the
damaged infrastructure is also becoming more difficult.
"Unfortunately
we have run out of equipment and spare parts... That's why we appeal to
our partners, government officials, companies and equipment producers
to help us with the immediate supply of available equipment," Mr
Timchenko said.
Russia's historical ties with Ukraine - including in developing its energy system - are also proving a problem.
"They
were colleagues, now they are enemies," Mr Timchenko said. "They bring
all this knowledge to Russian military forces, educate them, make very
concrete targets, know big parts of our grid or power stations."
Despite
the difficulties though, Ukrainian engineers continue to work in some
of the most dangerous parts of the country, risking their lives to
reconnect towns and cities to the grid.
Early
on Saturday, the Ukrainian defence ministry announced that the railway
station in Kherson was the first building in the city to have
electricity.
