Ukrainian authorities warn of a harsh winter after the destruction of energy infrastructure in Russian attacksKiev warns that the situation “will only get worse” and asks refugees not to return for the time beingSome 7.7 million refugees remain outside the country after their flight of the war, according to UNHCR The Ukrainian government advises refugees not to return to the country for the time being, in the face of a harsh winter exacerbated by the energy crisis and the damage to infrastructure caused by Russian attacks. President Volodymyr Zelensky said a week ago that 30% of power plants have been destroyed by the bombing launched by Vladimir Putin’s troops. Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, Iryna Vereshchuk, has warned that power grids “will not be able to withstand what Russia is doing.” “We need to survive the winter,” he added. The warnings from the Ukrainian authorities come after some polls suggested that more Ukrainian refugees have expressed a desire to return home. Vereshchuk has said that while he would like to see Ukrainians return in spring, it is important to refrain from returning for now because “the situation will only get worse”. “If possible, stay abroad for the time being,” she insisted. The authorities have already asked the Ukrainian population to moderate their use of electricity. And they have warned that next winter there may be fierce fighting around the southern town of Kherson, under Russian control. According to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), some 7.7 million Ukrainians remain outside from the country after fleeing the war launched by Putin on February 24.