A severe winter is gripping Kiev, where hundreds of thousands of residents are currently without electricity or heating due to ongoing Russian strikes targeting energy infrastructure. As temperatures plummet to as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, the situation is becoming increasingly dire for the population in the capital, which has a population of approximately 3 million. This winter marks the harshest since the onset of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, with relentless attacks from Russian drones and missiles impacting major cities, including Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa.
In central Kiev, pedestrians navigate icy pavements while temperatures hover around minus 12 degrees during the day. Outside shops, the sound of generators fills the air. One coffee kiosk near the border guard service building remains dark, with a saleswoman lamenting, “We cannot make coffee. We can only sell baked goods.” Nearby, a café that still has power attracts customers desperate for hot drinks, but even this haven faces power failures.
Power Cuts Shape Daily Life
This grim reality has persisted for days, not only in Kiev but across the country. Scheduled power outages were reintroduced in autumn as Russian military strikes resumed against critical energy facilities. The situation became particularly critical in early January when ballistic missiles and drones caused extensive damage. Entire districts on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River experienced prolonged outages, leaving thousands of residents in the cold.
The impact of these attacks means that public transport is faltering, and many residents struggle to manage basic tasks like cooking and washing clothes. Non-functioning lifts in high-rise buildings present significant challenges, especially for elderly and disabled individuals. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that energy company staff are working tirelessly to restore services but acknowledged that emergency power cuts have become a part of life. Currently, around 300 apartment blocks remain without heating, and many residents complain of only lukewarm radiators.
Community Support and Government Response
Despite the difficulties, residents are finding ways to cope. Some have resorted to using gas cookers to heat bricks, which they wrap in towels for warmth. Social media platforms are filled with posts where individuals share their experiences and encourage one another. One TikTok user, Taras Nesterenko, humorously remarked on his situation, noting that his flat’s temperature was only 13 degrees Celsius after enduring a 10-hour blackout.
Ukrainians were somewhat prepared for these challenges, having experienced similar outages during the previous winter. Many invested in generators, charging stations, and other essentials to weather power cuts. Mobile phone operators are ensuring their networks can function for at least 10 hours without external power, while the government has established “Points of Invincibility.” These sites, located in schools and public offices, offer charging facilities, internet access, and a warm place to stay, with over 1,200 established in Kiev alone.
For school children, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced extended holidays until February 1, and the city has eased its night-time curfew, allowing residents to seek shelter in warming points during air raid alerts. Additionally, 45 civil protection warming tents have been set up around the city to assist those most affected by the heating crisis.
As the cold weather continues, Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concerns about the situation in Kiev, indicating that the city administration has not adequately prepared for the current crisis. The tension between Zelensky and Klitschko, previously rivals in the 2019 presidential election, has resurfaced, with both parties exchanging accusations regarding the handling of the crisis. Klitschko has countered that the accusations are manipulative, insisting that the city’s administration is doing all it can under the circumstances.
With Russian strikes showing no signs of abating, the people of Kiev remain in a precarious situation, facing ongoing challenges as they endure one of the coldest winters in recent memory. The outlook remains bleak, with forecasts indicating continued subzero temperatures in the weeks ahead.
