Zelensky Seeks Managers to Fix Kyiv’s Winter Crisis, but No One Wants to Take the Job

President Volodymyr Zelensky says Kyiv is unprepared for winter and wants experienced managers to help tackle the capital’s infrastructure problems. But potential candidates are reluctant to take on the job, as the dispute over the city’s readiness and leadership intensifies. Speaking to journalists on Monday, Zelensky said Kyiv had failed to fully implement its resilience plans, citing concerns over electricity and water supplies, critical infrastructure protection and bridges.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. He said he had nothing personal against Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko but argued that the capital needed stronger management to prepare for Russian attacks and the coming winter. Zelensky pointed to Kharkiv as an example of cooperation between city and regional authorities, regardless of their political differences. “We have one common enemy, one winter and one country,” he said. The president said he had asked the prime minister to assemble a special team for Kyiv, bringing together experienced managers from business and government. Zelensky said he was ready to personally approach candidates proposed for the role. But potential candidates have been reluctant to accept the responsibility, he said, citing the pressure involved and the likelihood of political criticism. Those reportedly considered for the task include former Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, former Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, former Security Service of Ukraine chief Vasyl Maliuk and former Zhytomyr Mayor Serhii Sukhomlyn. Other Topics of Interest UN Says Russia’s Energy Attacks Possibly Crimes Against Humanity A new UN report says Moscow’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure “deprive the civilian population of essential energy supplies and cause suffering.” Zelensky also argued that Klitschko should be contacting experienced managers himself to help resolve the capital’s problems, rather than waiting for the president to intervene. Klitschko accuses central government of trying to oust him Klitschko has accused the central government of exploiting concerns over Kyiv’s winter preparations and bomb shelters to undermine his elected administration and tighten its control over the capital. Speaking to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on Oct. 20, he alleged that officials were behind a protest demanding his resignation. He named no officials and provided no direct evidence linking the government to the demonstration. “Everything is being done to establish a military administration, implement centralized control, create a hierarchical structure, and destroy local self-government,” Klitschko said. Several hundred people gathered outside Kyiv’s city administration building on Oct. 17, demanding his resignation over winter preparations, shelter shortages and spending priorities. Protesters also criticized urban improvement projects during wartime. Klitschko pushed back against criticism of the city’s shelter network, saying Kyiv had more than 4,000 shelters. He also said funds allocated for mobile shelters remained unused because district administrations had not submitted requests. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.