Video: Koretsky urged certain Ukrainians to leave the cities in advance

Ahead of the winter of 2026–2027, authorities are advising certain categories of Ukrainians to make alternative living arrangements in advance. This recommendation stems from the risk of prolonged blackouts in the event of new attacks on energy infrastructure.

 

Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi made this statement in an interview with TSN.

According to Koretskyi, leaving the city is a last resort. However, he advises families of people with limited mobility and individuals with disabilities to plan in advance where they will be able to stay during the winter.

The prime minister explained this by citing the possibility of prolonged blackouts. The situation could become particularly difficult for people who have trouble getting around on their own or who live on high floors of high-rise buildings.

In the event of a power outage, such residents may require additional assistance. According to Koretsky, it is better to address this issue in advance rather than when emergency services are simultaneously dealing with the aftermath of Russian attacks.

“Leaving is a last resort. But, for example, there are people with limited mobility or disabilities. Why not take care of these people specifically, their relatives, or the social services of the city—the capital, in particular,” the prime minister noted.

It is precisely this group of people that the prime minister advises to find alternative housing in advance for the winter.

He noted that he had already discussed this issue with the mayor of Kyiv. According to him, the number of people who may need such assistance is known, and the relevant services are already working with them.

Koretsky also assured that the Resilience Plan is being implemented. He said that this year, Ukraine has increased its power generation capacity and prepared more backup power for critical infrastructure.

At the same time, it is impossible to fully protect all infrastructure from Russian strikes, especially given the use of ballistic missiles.

“It’s impossible to protect everything. It’s quite difficult to defend against ballistic missiles in general. But the conclusions and lessons from last winter are making themselves felt, and we’re preparing for this winter much more effectively,” the prime minister assured.

He also emphasized that the threats remain high. Russian troops are changing and refining their tactics, so it is impossible to fully predict how the coming winter will unfold.

“It certainly won’t be easy, but we have no other scenario; we have no other option,” Koretsky concluded.

Earlier, Koretsky spoke about Ukraine’s preparations for the heating season.

Koretsky had previously promised that payments to military personnel would be made consistently and in full.

In Ukraine’s draft state budget for 2027, the base pay for military personnel was left at approximately 20,000 hryvnias. 

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed into law, as an urgent measure, a bill introducing payments of 50,000 hryvnias for military personnel released from captivity.