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Zelenskiy, Kyiv mayor trade blame as Russian strikes plunge city into darkness
Reuters • • world
Key Points:
- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko exchanged accusations over inadequate preparations for new Russian missile strikes causing severe power and water outages in Kyiv.
- The city faces unprecedented energy challenges amid ongoing attacks on infrastructure, with frequent outages disrupting heating, water supply, metro services, and traffic due to damaged bridges.
- Zelenskiy blamed the city administration for failing to implement necessary heating season preparations, while Klitschko accused the central government of delaying resilience plans and undermining Kyiv.
- The dispute reflects a longstanding feud between the two leaders, complicated by wartime restrictions on elections and difficulties coordinating Kyiv's management and military administration.
- Klitschko has reported unanswered requests for meetings with Zelenskiy to address the city's crisis, while Zelenskiy noted tensions arise from concerns over potential replacement of the mayor.
