The World Health Organization has warned that the upcoming winter would be “life-threatening” for millions of Ukrainians after a series of devastating Russian attacks on the country’s energy grid.
“Put simply – this winter will be about survival,” Hans Kluge, regional director for Europe at the United Nations’ health body, told reporters during his visit to Kyiv.
Damage to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure caused by numerous missile strikes “is already having knock-out effects on the health system and on the people’s health,” Kluge said.
“Continued attacks on health and energy infrastructure mean hundreds of hospitals and health care facilities are no longer fully operational,” Kluge said.
“This winter will be life-threatening for millions of people in Ukraine,” he said. “We expect two-three million more people to leave their homes in search of warmth and safety,” he warned.