Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s former Minister for Foreign Affairs, has urged Ukrainians to prepare in advance for the difficult winter of 2026–2027. In his view, due to ongoing Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, there may be prolonged power cuts, heating disruptions and difficulties in obtaining certain medicines. The former minister advises people to prioritise securing drinking water, essential medicines and a family contingency plan in case the situation worsens.
Briefly about the main points
- Kuleba has warned of a difficult winter in Ukraine.
- There may be interruptions to the electricity and heating supply.
- Former minister advises people to stock up on drinking water.
- It is important to ensure a supply of essential medicines.
Kuleba has urged Ukrainians to prepare for power cuts and heating disruptions
Dmytro Kuleba believes that the coming heating season may present serious challenges for Ukrainians. Russian troops continue to attack energy infrastructure, and damage to power stations, substations and heating infrastructure pose risks to the stable supply of electricity and heat to towns and cities.
According to the former Foreign Secretary, citizens should prepare in advance not only for power cuts, but also for possible difficulties in obtaining medicines. This applies in particular to people who require ongoing treatment.
Kuleba recommends building up a stock of essential medicines to last several months, where possible. At the same time, the quantity of such medicines should be agreed with your doctor, taking into account storage conditions, expiry dates and dispensing regulations.
What supplies do you need to stock up on before winter?
The former minister placed particular emphasis on drinking water and medicines. He explained that this was due to the risks of disruptions to supply chains resulting from Russian attacks on industrial facilities and warehouses.
According to Kuleba, on a massive scale There is no need to stock up on cereals and other long-life foodstuffs. Instead, priority should be given to matters on which people’s health directly depends.
To prepare for potential emergencies, it is also a good idea to have the following at home:
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Supply of drinking and industrial water.
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Essential medicines and a first-aid kit.
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Charged power banks, torches and batteries.
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Warm clothes and blankets.
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A small supply of ready-to-eat food.
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Cash and copies of important documents.
Similar recommendations are also included in the information materials issued by the Ukrainian authorities on preparing for power cuts.
Ukrainians are advised to consider the possibility of relocating temporarily
Dmytro Kuleba also highlighted the need to have contingency plan in the event of a prolonged power cut in major cities.
He suggested that Ukrainians discuss with their family members the possibility of temporarily moving to another town or village if living in a flat without a reliable supply of heating and electricity becomes too difficult.
This is not a call for people to leave Kyiv or other cities en masse, but rather a recommendation to make alternative accommodation arrangements in advance, should the need arise.
Is Ukraine facing a shortage of medicines this winter?
The risks to pharmaceutical logistics are already on the government’s radar. In September, the Ministry of Health, together with the largest distributors, discussed the decentralisation of medicine stocks in order to reduce the dependence of supplies on individual warehouses and logistics centres.
However, this does not mean that there is already a nationwide shortage of medicines in Ukraine. Kuleba’s warning relates to potential risks during the winter months, rather than any officially announced restrictions on the sale of medicines.
Preparing for power cuts remains essential due to the ongoing Russian attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure. Building up a sensible stock of essential items in good time can help households cope more easily with any emergency power cuts.
