Dnipro Mayor Filatov calls to postpone start of heating season and avoid public accusations between agencies

Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov has called for the latest possible start of the heating season in Ukraine and urged the authorities to consolidate instead of mutual accusations over the consequences of russian shelling of energy infrastructure.

"The heating season should start as late as possible. And it should start simultaneously and centrally throughout the country. So, the decision to start supplying heat belongs to local governments, and we are guided by clear regulations, which state that boiler houses are launched when the average daily air temperature does not exceed +8 degrees for three days," Filatov wrote on Facebook.

According to the mayor, the current situation in the country's energy system remains critically difficult, so early launch of heating may lead to additional problems with balancing the system.

He also emphasized that water, heat and gas supply are interconnected processes, the operation of which depends on the availability of electricity. "A power outage is equal to a water cutoff. And when there is no water, there is no heat, because water is the coolant," the mayor said.

Filatov warned citizens against excessive expectations regarding the use of generators in the event of large-scale power outages. "Even the most powerful generators are not able to fully support the system... It is impossible to survive the whole winter on generators alone," he emphasized.

The mayor also criticized the public shifting of responsibility between central authorities and law enforcement agencies for damage to power facilities. "When three ballistic missiles hit the same place at the same time, even a concrete sarcophagus will not be enough," he wrote, adding that the main responsibility lies with russia as the aggressor state.

Filatov called on his colleagues - the heads of local communities - to join forces and hold consultations with the government, Naftogaz, Ukrenergo and private energy suppliers on the coordinated start of the heating season.

"We can't keep hogging the blanket. Ostentatious concern for warm batteries in advance will only make things worse for people and everyone. Now I see how in the public space, various respected agencies, and sometimes even the Defense Forces (!), are shifting responsibility for the consequences of Russian shelling or for the fact that certain objects of Ukraine's energy infrastructure were not sufficiently protected," he emphasized.

In conclusion, the mayor advised citizens to prepare in advance for a difficult winter and emphasized that "it will definitely not be simple."