Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Koretskyi stated during the hour of questions to the government in the Verkhovna Rada that 87% of heat supply points and district heating enterprises are already operating in the country. The Head of Government emphasized that the heat supply system continues to be filled, and absolutely all consumers will receive heating. According to him, the regions postponed the start of the heating season exclusively until standard temperature indicators were reached, after which turning on the heating becomes mandatory.
Two reasons for delays in individual localities
Koretskyi detailed the logic of launching the heating season in the regions and pointed out two specific reasons why some facilities have not yet been put into operation. The first is ongoing final repair works on engineering networks and boiler houses. The second is active security restrictions: in a number of localities, the launch of heating is deliberately delayed so as not to attract the enemy's attention. "Where it is not working, it is exclusively a conscious position: either not to attract the enemy's attention, or repair works are being completed. In each individual case, there is a specific explanation," the Prime Minister stated. He added that the system is currently being refilled, and in the near future, heating will be supplied to all consumers without exception.
The issue of exemption from heat payment during disruptions
Answering a question about the possibility of exempting consumers from accruing fees for thermal energy in the event of disruptions caused by shelling, Koretskyi noted that since the start of the heating season, cases of destruction have been isolated. The government considers the mechanism of canceling charges exclusively as a backup option in case of large-scale destruction and the impossibility of rapid infrastructure restoration. "Regarding the non-accrual of costs, this is one of the alternative backup options if destruction really takes place and we cannot restore quickly. Then we will resort, perhaps, to such measures. But it is completely premature to talk about this now," the Head of Government emphasized.
Context: Zelenskyy's instruction to check reports from regions
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed to verify reports from the regions regarding the heating situation. This instruction was given against the background of reports on local delays in launching the heating season in a number of regions. Koretskyi's statement in the Verkhovna Rada was made within the framework of the standard hour of questions to the government, where deputies could ask the Prime Minister questions about the progress of preparation and the current functioning of municipal infrastructure in wartime conditions.
What this means for consumers
According to the government, delays in supplying heating in individual localities are not systemic in nature and are caused by specific technical or security factors. The government confirms that all consumers will receive heat in accordance with regulatory requirements. The mechanism for exemption from payment for thermal energy in case of disruptions has not been introduced at present and is considered only as a reserve measure in case of large-scale infrastructure damage. Residents of regions where heating has not yet been supplied are advised to contact local authorities and district heating enterprises to clarify the launch dates in a particular locality.
