Trafalgar Square
(Picture: Getty Images)London will join cities across the world in turning Christmas lights off for one hour at 8pm on Wednesday as a sign of solidarity with the millions of Ukrainians without power this winter.
The 60 minutes of darkness on December 21 aims to raise awareness of the humanitarian catastrophe, with more than 10 million people left without electricity, heat and water as temperatures are set to plummet to -20 degrees.
In the UK, Christmas lights will be switched off at Trafalgar Square, Canterbury Cathedral, Lambeth Palace, Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, and Christmas lights in key streets. Other participating cities include Liverpool, Edinburgh, Paris, New York and Sydney.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for solidarity with Ukrainians on the shortest, darkest day of the year as the nation faces a winter of blackouts.
Residents across the capital are being asked to switch off their own festive lights at home and reflect on the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Lights in public squares, streets and landmarks such as museums and theatres are also encouraged to be switched off.
The moment of darkness is part of a $10million (£8.24m) fundraising drive for generators for hospitals across Ukraine. This appeal is led by more than 500 Ukrainian MPs and MEPs around the world, 1 Granary, a global creative network, and the United24 ambassadors – Andriy Shevchenko, Oleksandr Usyk, Scott Kelly, Elina Svitolina, Liev Schreiber, and Timothy Snyder.
Mr Zelensky said: “When the light shuts off, you always take it as something out of the ordinary. But when you spend four, ten, twenty hours or even days without it, and you start to get used to the darkness – that’s the worst thing ever.
“That is why I am turning to you now, true friends of Ukraine. We need your support! Every doctor who is forced to operate in the dark. Every father and every mother who does everything to give their families what they need – even in the darkness. Every Ukrainian who has faith in freedom, despite the darkness.
“Together we will stop this war! Please search for new ways to help Ukraine! And thank you to everyone who cares about freedom!”
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: “Earlier this month, in Ukraine, I saw the suffering of Ukrainians who face the violence of the Russian regime, in a dark and cold winter without electricity.
“That’s why the lights will be turned off at Lambeth Palace at 8pm on Wednesday and why I urge everyone to donate what they can to the United24 initiative, to help raise funds to pay for hospital generators.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “2022 will be a year defined by the heroism of the Ukrainian people in defending their homeland against President Putin’s illegal invasion.
“Whilst we all prepare for Christmas festivities this hour of darkness reminds us all of the hardships and privations being faced by ordinary Ukrainians every day as they live without power, heat and water in freezing temperatures.
“On this shortest day and every day, London stands in solidarity with Ukraine.”
It comes as electricity supplies in the Kyiv region were at a “critical” level, with less than half the capital’s power needs being supplied following Russian attacks, regional officials said.
Regional governor Oleksiy Kuleba said 80 per cent of the region was without electricity for a second day after Russian drones hit energy infrastructure around on Monday, the latest in a series of attacks on power facilities since October.
National power grid operator Ukrenergo said it could provide less than half the required consumption in the capital Kyiv. The capital’s subway system was briefly stopped during the morning rush hour because the electricity supply was unstable.
If electricity is lost, water supplies, heating and mobile phone networks are usually affected.
The United Nations has estimated that about 50 per cent of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been destroyed since Russia stepped up its attacks on power facilities in October.
Daily temperatures in Kyiv and the region at this time of year are below freezing.
