Buildings with electric heating will be classified as critical infrastructure: what does this mean for Ukrainians?
In Ukraine, homes with electric heating will no longer be disconnected from the power supply during planned restrictions. Such homes will be classified as critical infrastructure, but power outages are possible in the event of emergency outages.
This was stated by the Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal during the government’s question hour.
According to the official, the government and the headquarters for eliminating the consequences of enemy shelling have made all necessary decisions regarding the classification of houses with electric heating as critical infrastructure.
According to him, the relevant decisions have already been formalized and will be included in the official lists in the near future.
“Now, houses with electric heating will be included in the relevant lists and in the near future will be classified as critical infrastructure and will not be disconnected, except for emergency shutdowns, when the system also disconnects critical infrastructure facilities,” said Denys Shmyhal.
The minister emphasized that this decision was made against the backdrop of a difficult situation in the energy sector, caused by frost and constant Russian attacks on energy facilities.
During the hour of questions to the government in the Verkhovna Rada, Shmyhal announced that the TEB and NS commission had renewed the emergency regime in the energy sector of Ukraine .
According to him, in 2025, Russia carried out 612 targeted combined strikes on energy facilities, and the intensity of attacks continues to grow. There is not a single power plant left in Ukraine that has not been damaged during a full-scale war.
“There is not a single power plant left in Ukraine that has not been hit by the enemy during the war,” said Denys Shmyhal.
The attacks knocked out thousands of megawatts of power from the power system. At the same time, according to the minister, the power system remains intact, and Ukrenergo retains control over it, although it is forced to apply consumption restrictions.
The situation remains most difficult in Kyiv and Kyiv region, as well as in Odessa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv regions and frontline communities. Restrictions are in place across the country for both household consumers and industry and business.
Shmyhal also reported that in Kyiv, winter holidays for all educational institutions have been extended until February 1. In other regions, decisions are made separately – schools are switching to distance learning or are also extending holidays.
The minister separately addressed the issue of the curfew . According to him, during its operation, citizens are allowed to leave without special permits and use transport to get to checkpoints and heating points.
“This is necessary so that everyone who does not have electricity, water, or heat receives the necessary assistance,” Denys Shmyhal emphasized.
At the same time, the police are increasing street patrols to maintain public order and provide assistance to the population.
The minister also stated that the situation with fuel and gas reserves is under control . Diesel and gasoline reserves last for more than 20 days, imports continue. Gas reserves are sufficient for the country’s needs, and consumption restrictions are not applied.
In addition, Ukraine continues to increase its electricity imports from the EU. The maximum available capacity for imports is currently 2.3 gigawatts.
Shmyhal called on businesses and local authorities to minimize electricity consumption, in particular, to turn off outdoor advertising, backlights, garlands, and street lighting, in order to direct available resources to the needs of the population and critical infrastructure.
It was previously reported that Ukraine’s energy system is in difficult conditions due to intensive Russian shelling and the most severe winter in 20 years . In connection with the emergency situation in the energy sector, the Government has identified a set of measures to overcome its consequences.
By the way, on January 15, the Russian army destroyed a critical energy infrastructure facility in Kharkiv with a missile attack.
As a reminder, Russian occupiers struck at Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities , resulting in power outages for consumers in Zhytomyr and Kharkiv regions.
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