Chaired by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, an online meeting was held with the heads of regional military administrations of the western regions of the state regarding the course of the heating season.

The meeting was joined by senior officials of the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Social Policy, the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories and the Chairman of the Board of PJSC Ukrenergo.

The participants discussed the situation with heat supply to schools, hospitals and residential buildings, protection of critical infrastructure from enemy attacks and the situation with accommodation of internally displaced persons.

The heads of regional state administrations reported on the start of the heating season in their regions. In particular, 100% of boiler houses have been launched in Zakarpattia and Khmelnytskyi regions, almost 100% in Ternopil region, 93% in Volyn region, 92% in Ivano-Frankivsk region, 27% in Lviv region, 94% in Rivne region and over 70% in Chernivtsi region.

“In general, about 70% of residential buildings and social infrastructure in Ukraine have already been connected to heat. However, all regions and cities should establish proper heating points. This is the personal responsibility of mayors, heads of communities and heads of regional military administrations,” said Denys Shmyhal.

He stressed that the main task for the upcoming heating season is to save energy.

“We must learn to live in a constant saving mode and provide communities with alternative energy generating facilities as much as possible. By decision of the Government we have already exempted goods for energy and heat supply from VAT and import duties,” the Prime Minister said.

According to him, the timely start of the heating season is important. This removes excessive load on the power grid. Thus, power engineers have more options to balance and restore the system.

Denys Shmyhal also stressed the importance of working with internally displaced persons. In particular, with regard to their accommodation and provision with everything they need.

“Our task is to strengthen interaction, coordinate joint activities in order to prepare for the winter in the best possible way. We must do everything quickly and efficiently to provide Ukrainians with light, water and heat,” the Prime Minister concluded.