Divers in Kyiv conducted a six-day operation in subzero temperatures to stop a pipe leak that complicated repair work for a thermal plant, Ukraine’s interior minister said on Thursday.
Russia struck Ukraine’s thermal plants on Jan. 9 and again on Jan. 20, cutting heating to most buildings in Kyiv and prompting extensive blackouts lasting over 40 hours.
Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine’s interior minister, said a thermal plant was flooded after a Russian attack – likely referring to the Jan. 9 strike – complicating repair work.
“As a result of Russian shelling, one of the capital’s thermal power plants was flooded due to damage to a pipe. This significantly complicated the repair of equipment on which the heat and electricity supply in the homes of thousands of people depend,” he wrote in a Telegram update.
As a result, a team of divers from the State Emergency Service (DSNS) was dispatched to stop the leak as the air temperature hit -15°C (5°F). The operation concluded on Thursday.
“Without hesitation, in icy water and under extreme conditions, our divers began work to eliminate the damage. The special operation lasted six days,” he wrote.
“The water leak was stopped, which allowed the services to continue restoration work.”
Klymenko said the divers received state awards from President Volodymyr Zelensky for their work.
“I thank the President of Ukraine for the high state award for their work. In accordance with the Decree: Artem Orlov, Denys Frolov and Mykhailo Khyzhnyak were awarded the Order of Courage of the 3rd degree; Andriy Vlasenko was awarded the Order of Danylo Halytsky; Anton Gaitan was awarded the Medal of Defender of the Fatherland,” he added.
As of Thursday morning, Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said around 3,000 buildings remain without heating after the Russian attack on Tuesday, Jan. 20. He said that about 600,000 locals had left the capital amid the crisis, as temperatures continue to hover below freezing.
Ukraine’s newly-appointed energy minister, Denys Shmyhal, said that not a single power plant was spared from Russian attacks over the past four years of war.
Ukraine’s infrastructure minister said on Wednesday that cogeneration units – which produce both heat and electricity – were being transferred from Germany and other regions in Ukraine to help manage the crisis.
Kyiv locals described to Kyiv Post the impact of Tuesday’s attack, including extreme cold inside apartments and water cuts that made even flushing toilets impossible.
The local weather forecast service Sinoptik shows the temperature will not rise above freezing until Monday, Jan. 26.