Ukraine energy crisis grips Kyiv as refugees urged not to return

Since the war began, the United Nations has reported that 7.7 million out of a population of 44 million people have fled Ukraine. Ukrainian refugees have reported having issues living abroad, including difficulty finding work, education and permanent residence, but in a recent report, 81 percent of refugees have expressed hope of returning to Ukraine one day.Prime Minister Vereshchuk warned: ‘The networks will not cope. You see what Russia is doing. We need to survive the winter.’The Deputy Prime Minister said that while she would like to see Ukrainians return home in the Spring, she asked those currently living abroad to delay their return for now because “the situation will only get worse’.She continued: ‘If it is possible, stay abroad for the time being.’Ms Vereshchuk said the power grid ‘won’t survive’ the return of refugees and said the situation will “only get worse”.She added: ‘To return now is to risk yourself and your children, your vulnerable relatives.’ The UN has reported that 7.7 million out of a population of 44 million people have fled Ukraine (Image: Getty Images) Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk has asked Ukrainian refugees not to return this winter (Image: Getty Images)The plea comes after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of engaging in ‘terrorist attacks’ as targeted missile attacks by Russia have destroyed major power suppliers in Ukraine.President Zelensky tweeted: ‘Since October 10, 30 percent of Ukraine’s power stations have been destroyed, causing massive blackouts across the country.’He added that attacks in civilian areas meant there was ‘no space left for negotiations with Putin’s regime’.Ukraine residents have been asked to sparingly use electricity, and the Ukrainian government has warned that civilians should prepare for blackouts which could last days or even weeks.READ MORE: Boris will ‘raise loads of money’ in bid to help rebuild Ukraine President Zelensky has said 30^ of Ukraine’s power stations have been destroyed by Russia (Image: Getty Images) A Ukrainian official has said Russia’s aim is to damage critical infrastructure before the winter (Image: Getty Images)Serhiy Kiral, the deputy mayor of the Ukraine city Lviv, has said Russia’s goal is to damage critical infrastructure before the winter.Russia began missile striking Ukraine’s energy networks in retaliation for the destruction of the bridge connecting Russia to the annexed Crimea, but Ukraine has denied targeting the bridge.Last week, President Zelensky said that Russia had planted mines in a hydroelectric dam in Kherson, a region which was recently annexed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.President Zelensky warned that if the Kakhovka hydropower plant was destroyed, hundreds of thousands of people would be in danger of flooding, but Russia has denied the accusations.DON’T MISS: Putin’s ‘goddaughter’ narrowly escapes arrest over anti-war videos [REVEAL]Russia blow as US Army officer pinpoints Ukraine move for Crimea [INSIGHT]Fears grow of attack on Ukraine through Belarus [REPORT] 27% of Ukrainian refugees say they will need to find another accommodation in the next six months (Image: Getty Images)A recent survey conducted by the United Nations Refugee survey reported that 27 percent of Ukrainian refugees say they will need to find another accommodation in the next six months.In the UK, the Local Government Association has expressed concern for the housing situation for Ukrainian refugees as the Government scheme to home them with British households is coming to an end.Chairman James Jamieson said: ‘There are concerns that more Ukrainian families may need to present as homeless as a result of a lack of sponsors or other options,’As the number of Ukrainians presenting as homeless continues to gradually rise alongside the cost of living crisis, support to sponsors may need to be enhanced to encourage new or existing hosts to sponsor in the longer term as inflation and energy costs increase”.Government figures from February 24 to August 26 show that 1, 565 Ukrainian households in Britain were registered as homeless by local councils.