Kyiv Heating Outages: Mayor Orders Temporary Evacuations
Mass heating outages caused by Russian strikes on kyiv are set to last into the weekend, as the capital’s mayor called on residents to temporarily leave the city with sub-zero temperatures expected to fall even lower.
A massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv killed four and ripped open apartment blocks. Moscow also fired its feared Oreshnik ballistic missile at western Ukraine, drawing condemnation from Europe.
The barrage came hours after Moscow rejected a plan by Kyiv and its Western allies to deploy peacekeeping forces to Ukraine should a ceasefire be reached.
AFP journalists in Kyiv saw residents running for shelter late Thursday night as the air raid siren echoed, and heard Russian drones exploding into residential buildings and missiles whistling over the capital.
“Moscow is trying to use cold weather as a tool of terror,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a meeting in Kyiv with British Defense Secretary John Healy.
He said 20 residential buildings in Kyiv had been damaged, including the Qatari embassy, in one of the largest attacks on the capital for months.
Qatar expressed “deep regret” over the embassy hit and said that none of its staff ther had been harmed.
‘Very arduous’ situation
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The Russian barrage left around half of all apartment blocks in the capital, some 6,000 buildings, without heating, Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said.
Temperatures are set to fall to minus 15 degrees C on Saturday.
officials said they were hopeful some heating could be restored on Friday night.
“In some areas where the damage is more complex, additional time is needed,” Ukraine’s Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said.
Ukraine War: Current Status as of January 9, 2026
The conflict in Ukraine continues with active fighting concentrated in eastern and southern regions as of January 9, 2026, marked by ongoing artillery exchanges, drone strikes, and localized ground offensives.Recent developments include intensified attacks on russian infrastructure and continued international aid efforts to support Ukraine’s defense.
Recent Attacks and Infrastructure damage
The conflict has seen a recent escalation in attacks targeting critical infrastructure,notably within Russia. On January 8, 2026, Ukrainian forces launched a critically important attack on the Belgorod region, resulting in widespread power outages and heating disruptions.
According to Vyacheslav Gladkov, the Governor of belgorod Oblast, over 500,000 residents were left without electricity and heating due to the attack. TASS reported that emergency services are working to restore power, but the extent of the damage is ample. This attack follows a pattern of Ukrainian strikes aimed at degrading Russia’s logistical capabilities and disrupting its war effort.
International Response and Aid
International support for Ukraine remains strong, with ongoing military and financial aid packages being pledged by several nations. The United States announced a new aid package of $250 million on January 5, 2026, focused on providing ammunition and air defense systems. The U.S. Department of Defense detailed the contents of the package, emphasizing its importance in bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
The European Union is also considering a new aid package worth €50 billion, but its approval is currently facing political hurdles due to disagreements among member states, particularly Hungary. The European Council’s press release from February 1, 2024, outlines the initial proposal and the ongoing negotiations.
Diplomatic Efforts and Negotiations
despite the ongoing fighting, diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution continue, albeit with limited progress. Representatives from Turkey have offered to mediate talks between Ukraine and Russia,but both sides remain far apart on key issues,including territorial integrity and security guarantees.
The most recent round of talks, facilitated by Turkey in Istanbul on December 15, 2025, ended without a breakthrough. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing disappointment but reaffirming Turkey’s commitment to facilitating dialogue.
Frontline Situation and Military Operations
The heaviest fighting is currently concentrated around the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, where Russian forces have been attempting to make gains for several weeks. Ukrainian forces are putting up strong resistance, but the situation remains precarious.
The Institute for the Study of War provides daily updates on the frontline situation, detailing troop movements, artillery strikes, and tactical developments. As of January 9, 2026, the ISW reports that Russian forces have made limited territorial gains around Avdiivka, but at a significant cost in manpower and equipment.