Frosts in Ukraine
The PURL program remains a reliable mechanism for purchasing American air defense missiles. Contributions of $584 million have already been announced for 2026, but the need reaches $15 billion.
Business investments in solar generation will partially mitigate risks but will not solve problems for large consumers.
On the M-15 highway (Odesa – Reni), the movement of freight transport, buses, and minibuses is temporarily restricted due to bad weather. Passenger cars move without restrictions, and checkpoints operate as usual.
On February 18, most of Ukraine is expected to experience a drop in temperature, significant precipitation, and black ice. Temperatures will range from -17°C to +2°C, and up to -10°C in Kyiv.
On February 18, a significant deterioration of weather conditions is expected in Ukraine, with the exception of the western regions. To coordinate rescue services, the Emergency Response Headquarters begins round-the-clock operation.
In Zakarpattia, rescuers from the State Emergency Service assisted a 22-year-old Kyiv resident and a 21-year-old Zhytomyr resident who were freezing on the Chornohora ridge. The tourists were taken to the village of Hoverla and handed over to medics.
On February 18, from 05:00, traffic restrictions for buses, minibuses, and all types of freight transport were introduced on the M-15 Odesa-Reni highway. This is due to deteriorating weather conditions, including freezing rain, snow, and ice.
After the cyclone, roads in a number of regions are covered with snow, snowdrifts are possible. Passage on main roads is ensured, except for a section of the T-24-01 highway in Kirovohrad region, where there are traffic restrictions due to the threat of a landslide.
In Poltava region, due to bad weather, 69 settlements were left without electricity. Flooding of private households and затрудned traffic movement were recorded.
In Ukraine, the number of road accidents doubled in 5 hours, reaching 785 cases, 79 of which involved casualties. In Kyiv, 185 road accidents were recorded, 10 of which involved casualties.
On February 17, no significant precipitation is expected in most regions of Ukraine, but on February 18-19, the cold snap will intensify. In Kyiv, precipitation is unlikely on February 17, but black ice will persist on the roads.
Moderate snow avalanche danger of the second level is expected in the highlands of Ivano-Frankivsk region on February 16-17. Rescuers urge to refrain from hiking in the mountains.
In Ukraine, due to bad weather, 377 road accidents occurred, 87 of them in Kyiv. The patrol police are regulating traffic and assisting drivers in difficult conditions.
After a sharp change in weather, Kyiv's roads and sidewalks turned into an icy trap. Drivers are pushing cars, and public transport is at a standstill due to black ice.
Kyiv authorities restricted truck entry into the capital from 10:00 PM on February 15 due to snowfall. Drivers of private cars are urged to use public transport.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that continuous Russian air strikes on the capital's critical infrastructure over two months have brought the city to the brink of disaster. 3.5 million residents are enduring the harshest winter since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Precipitation is expected in Ukraine in the next two days, and from February 17 - a drop in temperature. Night and day temperatures will reach 1-9° below zero.
In Kyiv, utility services are restoring the supply of coolant to homes in Troieshchyna. Specialists are working to ensure that water in the heating system reaches its destination and to bleed air.
President Zelenskyy informed US Secretary of State Rubio about the situation at the front and the consequences of Russian strikes. Diplomatic process, aid to Ukraine in winter, and strengthening resilience were discussed.
Due to the forecasted cold snap and the risk of new shelling, the energy system remains under increased load and in a state of readiness.
Andriy Sybiha appealed to the G7 countries to increase energy assistance to Ukraine and strengthen its air defense. He noted that Ukraine needs about $15 billion to finance air defense.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that not only people but also animals, including the dog Patron, are unbreakable in Ukraine. He noted that Ukrainians are becoming stronger despite terrible difficulties.
Energy supply stabilization continues in Ukraine after the shelling. Relevant ministries and heads of regional military administrations are preparing resources to respond to new attacks amid severe cold.
Secretary of State Rubio looks forward to meeting with President Zelenskyy in Munich. He condemns Russian bombings, calling them horrific suffering.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that severe frosts would return to Ukraine next week. He urged services to accelerate repairs as much as possible and begin preparations for the next heating season.
In Kyiv region, a driver who fell through the ice while drifting near Lebedivka has been sought for a week. Rescuers have surveyed 50,000 square meters of water surface, but the searches have so far been unsuccessful.
Ukrainian singer Natalia Mohylevska shared her diet system, which helped her lose 25 kilograms. She adheres to two meals a day with an emphasis on vegetables.
During the night, Russia deliberately attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure. In Kyiv, heating has been stopped for another 2,600 buildings, 300,000 people in Odesa are without water, and 10,000 subscribers in Dnipro are without heat.
A two-year-old boy died in Lviv region after being admitted to the hospital in critical condition. His parents were detained for malicious failure to fulfill their duties, and proceedings were opened against social services for official negligence.
The Kyiv City State Administration urged residents of the capital to check and replenish their supplies of drinking and technical water due to possible enemy shelling. The recommended norm per person is: 3 liters of drinking water and 10–12 liters of technical water.