On the evening of November 10, a decision was made in Kyiv to temporarily and completely shut down the external (street) lighting of the capital. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a publication by the press service of the municipal enterprise "Kyivmisksvitlo" on Facebook. According to the enterprise, the decision was made by the head of emergency response operations at the Kyiv City State Administration (KCGA) in order to ensure priority power supply to vital city facilities.
The Reason: Power Shortage Following Infrastructure Damage
"Kyivmisksvitlo" explained that the blackout is linked to the power deficit in the capital, which, according to enterprise representatives, is caused by damage to energy infrastructure resulting from enemy shelling. Under these conditions, as stated in the announcement, priority is given to powering socially significant and critical facilities, while street lighting, which is not life-sustaining, has been completely turned off.
Who Is Responsible for the Light and What Its Operation Depends On
The municipal enterprise reminded that "Kyivmisksvitlo" performs exclusively the function of providing external lighting for public amenity objects located in the communal ownership of the Kyiv territorial community. At the same time, the enterprise's operation, as specified by the press service, directly depends on the power supply capabilities of PJSC "DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids". Thus, the actual switching on and operation of street lamps are subject to general restrictions introduced at the power grid company level.
Exceptions and Lighting Operation Mode
According to the adopted decision, "Kyivmisksvitlo" completely turns off the city's external lighting. An exception is made for outdoor lighting cabinets that power alert systems. In such cases, the enterprise emphasized, lighting will be turned on only when electricity is available — from the moment of its restoration until 22:00. This means that even in exceptional areas, light is not guaranteed around the clock, but only during evening hours provided electricity is supplied.
Calls to Residents and Guests of the Capital
"Kyivmisksvitlo" appealed to Kyiv residents and visitors to be especially careful on the roads during the period when outdoor lighting is absent. "Road safety depends on everyone's attentiveness. Take care of yourselves and others," the municipal enterprise concluded, reminding people of the need to observe basic safety rules when crossing the roadway and moving through the streets in the dark.
Context: Metro as a Shelter and Strengthening Blackout Measures
The decision to turn off street lighting fits into a broader context of restrictions related to the energy situation in the capital. It was previously reported that in the event of a total blackout, the Kyiv Metro will operate as a shelter, and it was also explained why the situation with electricity remains most tense in Kyiv and why electric transport becomes the "first victim" of interruptions. Simultaneously, the blackout regime is being tightened in the Kyiv region, further restricting the use of external lighting during the dark hours of the day.
