Klitschko outlines winter preparations in Rada and questions central government about air defence and billions for protecting energy facilities
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko delivered an emotional address from the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada, asking the central government where the billions allocated for air defence and the protection of critical infrastructure had gone.
Censor.NET reports.
"The city authorities are doing everything they can to keep the capital functioning amid massive attacks. Last year, the capital’s heat and power generation facilities sustained 19 hits; this year, there have already been almost 50! Throughout this time, specialists have been working, repairing equipment and preparing facilities for winter. And Kyiv has held out, despite staff shortages at municipal utilities and halted payments. You can say whatever you like, even blame Klitschko for World War III… But I am not the only one asking: where is the air defence to protect the capital? Where is the protection for Ukrenergo facilities? Where are the billions allocated for this?" Vitali Klitschko said.
The Kyiv mayor also briefed MPs on how the capital had expanded its backup energy sources during the full-scale war.
"Kyiv has prepared almost 700 generators of varying capacities for heating and water supply facilities. Seventy mobile boiler houses. Three diesel power plants have already been built, along with a backup water intake. Kyivvodokanal currently has 103 generators. It is also awaiting high-capacity systems for water supply that are being manufactured abroad for Kyiv. More than 6,000 generators, inverters, and batteries have been purchased for residential buildings. All educational institutions have generators. Hospitals are equipped with backup power sources and have 480 generators. Fifteen hospitals have their own wells, and six more wells are under construction. Eleven healthcare facilities have independent heating supplied by their own boiler houses. By the end of the year, 21 hospitals will have this type of heating," Vitali Klitschko said.
He also noted that all communities were now facing problems because the government had blocked local budget funds ahead of the heating season.
"Let me speak as the head of the Association of Ukrainian Cities. Some people are talking about how other cities have prepared, supposedly unlike Kyiv. That is not true! Every community is in shock today. All cities are dealing with the problems the government created by freezing payments. There are attempts to destroy local self-government in Ukraine — and not just in Kyiv. By removing community heads on spurious grounds. By making absurd accusations and intimidating them with criminal cases. Kyiv is the heart of the country that the enemy is trying to destroy. But the political schemers within the country are no less dangerous," Vitali Klitschko stressed.
As a reminder, yesterday, Servant of the People MP Mariana Bezuhla initiated a move to summon Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko to the Verkhovna Rada. The ruling party demanded that Klitschko explain why critical infrastructure facilities in the capital were not protected, although this falls within the remit of the government and the Defence Forces.
