{
  "id": 17093155,
  "title": "Beskrestnov: Evacuating Kyiv is impossible; there is no precedent for this anywhere in the world",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/beskrestnov-evacuating-kyiv-is-impossible-there-is-no-precedent-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T17:21:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Interfax-Ukraine",
    "slug": "interfax-ukraine",
    "url": "https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1228342.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Serhiy Beskrestnov, a defense technologies advisor to Ukraine's President, maintains that evacuating Kyiv is an impractical solution. In a recent interview, Beskrestnov emphasized the impossibility of evacuating the city, stating that such an endeavor lacks any precedent in the world. He pointed out that even evacuating a small number of people would pose significant challenges due to insufficient infrastructure. Instead, Beskrestnov advised focusing on protecting Kyiv from potential Russian attacks targeting critical infrastructure such as water supply, sewage systems, energy facilities, and power generation plants. He warned that Russia could aim to paralyze the capital by disrupting these essential services. Beskrestnov also highlighted that preparations to counter potential attacks should have commenced earlier in the summer, recommending the installation of protected generators, drilling additional artesian wells, and establishing stationary heating points. He cited Zaporizhia and Kharkiv as examples of cities actively preparing for possible disruptions in heat and electricity supplies. However, Beskrestnov cautioned against relying solely on mobile boiler units, as their thermal emissions might be detectable by Russian drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras. He urged Kyiv residents to prepare for potential utility service disruptions by stocking up on batteries and a limited amount of fuel.",
  "summary": "Evacuating Kyiv is not a viable solution; instead, every effort must be made to protect the city from potential Russian attacks on critical infrastructure—specifically water supply, sewage, and energy systems—says Serhiy (Flash) Beskrestnov, an advisor to the President of Ukraine on defense technologies.",
  "key_points": [
    "Evacuating Kyiv deemed impossible by defense advisor",
    "No precedent for evacuating major city worldwide",
    "Focus on protecting critical infrastructure from Russian attacks"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}