Ukraine has changed its curfew rules, allowing people to go outside during curfew hours to reach “Points of Invincibility” – emergency aid centers offering heat, power and basic services – as the country faces a worsening energy crisis.
The decision was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, who said Ukraine is operating under an energy emergency after recent Russian bombardments on power infrastructure.
Under the new rules, civilians can move during curfew hours – from midnight to 5 a.m. – but only to reach Points of Invincibility. Curfews remain in force and are not being lifted more broadly.
Shmyhal said the change is meant to help people stay warm and safe during long power and heating outages, now exacerbated by freezing temperatures.
Government steps to manage the crisis
Shmyhal said the government has taken several additional steps to tackle the energy crisis:
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Emergency response teams for the energy sector are working at full capacity, including separate crisis headquarters for Kyiv and the surrounding region.
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The energy regulator, NKREKP, has been asked to speed up and simplify the process for connecting backup power equipment. Approvals and inspections should take no more than two days each.
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Reserve power equipment will be moved between regions to support hospitals and other critical facilities.
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State-owned companies such as Ukrzaliznytsia and Naftogaz must urgently import electricity during the 2025-26 heating season to cover at least half of national demand.
Curfews stay in place
President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said curfews could be eased in some areas if conditions become extreme, but officials later clarified that there are no plans to cancel curfews nationwide.
Minister for Communities and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba said any exceptions would apply only during long heat or power outages.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said curfew rules may be relaxed only in areas where an official energy emergency has been declared.