Save energy, go abroad

Civilians should leave Ukraine this winter to help it cope with a crippling energy crisis, the head of the country’s biggest private power firm has suggested.

Maksym Tymchenko, chief executive of DTEK, said Ukraine cannot supply enough heat and power for all of its population to survive winter because Russian missile attacks had destroyed key infrastructure.

He told the BBC that anyone who could afford to leave for a few months should do so.

“If they can find an alternative place to stay for another three or four months, it will be very helpful to the system,” Tymchenko said.

“If you consume less, hospitals with injured soldiers will have guaranteed power supply.

“By consuming less or leaving, they also contribute to others.”

After several major setbacks on the battlefield, including losing Kherson last week, Moscow has switched tactics.

It has unleashed the heaviest bombardment of the war, targeting energy infrastructure to make the winter months as difficult as possible.