The expert noted that an improvement in the electricity supply situation should not be expected in January and February.

The head of the Union of Consumers of Public Utilities, Oleg Popenko, expressed concern about the situation in Kyiv, noting that the city is experiencing significant damage that exceeds the capabilities of modern restoration systems.

Minor maintenance will not solve the existing problems. Thousands of Kyiv residents who suffer from power outages and frosts may be left without comfortable housing for a long time. Experts predict that this is not a simple repair, but a major restoration that could take two to three years.

There are more than 200 houses in Kyiv that were damaged by shelling and accidents caused by power outages. Over the past four years, only eight of these buildings have been repaired. These data indicate a slow and complex restoration process.

Popenko noted that one should not expect a quick solution to the problem. Restoration is not a matter of a few weeks. Depending on the damage, repairs can take a year, two, or even up to three years.

Financing and electricity supply: waiting for spring

Expenditures for mass repairs can only begin to be realized in the spring, as real budget funds will only become available in March and April.

“It is also necessary to allocate another four to five months for approvals, tenders and other bureaucratic procedures,” the expert said.

Thus, even with the availability of resources and political will, residents of uninhabitable buildings cannot hope for quick positive changes. The situation with electricity supply also remains critical. Popenko emphasized that improvements should not be expected in January and February.

“A more stable situation with electricity is possible only closer to mid-March,” he added.

Housing crisis: a long-term challenge

The combination of hostilities, energy problems and severe weather conditions has dealt a serious blow to Ukraine’s housing stock. Funding delays and bureaucracy are compounding the plight of people already struggling with war and uncertainty.

Rebuilding housing and infrastructure will be a critical step in the return to normal life, but experts warn that the process will take time and will require significant resources and effort.