Overview
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said demand reached about 18 GW against roughly 11 GW of available capacity, while warning that Russian forces are preparing new mass strikes.
- Air‑defense stocks were so low that several systems lacked missiles until a new package arrived this morning, Zelenskyy noted, as Kyiv presses partners for faster deliveries.
- The European Commission said the EU is exporting electricity to Ukraine at maximum capacity and mobilizing humanitarian aid and emergency gas funds, while the UK announced an additional £20 million for energy repairs and heating.
- Ukraine eased curfew rules to allow round‑the‑clock travel to heating and charging centers, and the Energy Ministry asked households to limit use of high‑load appliances through the weekend; Ukrzaliznytsia dimmed exterior lighting and is expanding 24/7 hubs.
- The General Staff reported 153 combat engagements today, with the heaviest fighting near Pokrovsk and Huliaipole, and Poland said it can transfer fewer than 10 MiG‑29 jets pending technical consultations with Ukraine.