Kyiv Under Siege: A Winter of Darkness and Resilience
The outskirts of Kyiv are grim. As dusk settles, few lights flicker within apartment buildings. Many residents experience only a few hours of electricity each day, often in the middle of the night. Since early January, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, leaving hundreds of buildings in Kyiv without heating for weeks, or with only intermittent warmth.
Ljoedmila (83) and her grandson Roman (18) live in a one-room apartment in one of Kyiv’s hardest-hit districts. Having already been displaced once from the Donbas region to Lviv at the start of the war, they now face another evacuation, facilitated by Kyiv’s social services. Officials are careful to frame this as a “temporary relocation” to avoid amplifying the sense of crisis.
A Cycle of Displacement
They have been moved to a former holiday resort outside the capital, providing shelter for the most vulnerable. The stay is intended to be for one month, but their return to their vintage apartment is uncertain, as their landlord has terminated the lease. Their future, like that of many Ukrainians, hangs in the balance.
The hope is that conditions will improve by March, but the prospect remains uncertain. Ukraine faces a potentially devastating winter, and the energy system is “extremely vulnerable,” according to energy analyst Denys Sakva.
Escalating Attacks on Infrastructure
The attacks are not limited to Kyiv. Cities like Odesa, Sumy, Dnipro, and Zaporizhia are also struggling. The Ukrainian energy system is suffering “damage upon damage,” with insufficient time for repairs. This leads to widespread power outages, even during periods without direct shelling.
Russia is now deploying hundreds of drones simultaneously, targeting the final links in the system that connect households. These drones are increasingly focused on 110-kilowatt transformers, which reduce high-voltage electricity to usable levels. Heat plants are being attacked with ballistic missiles, some having been struck ten times.
The Role of Nuclear Energy
Currently, nuclear energy is Ukraine’s primary power source, as coal and gas-fired plants are largely non-operational. However, Russia is attempting to sever the connection between these nuclear plants and the electricity grid. One plant was forced to halve its capacity due to a severed connection.
A New Tactical Approach
A new Russian tactic involves attempting to divide the country in two, separating east from west along the Dnipro River. The east, home to major industrial consumers, has limited power generation capacity, necessitating electricity imports from the west. Russia is actively trying to disrupt this flow.
Industry is now operating at minimal levels. Sakva notes that the repair crews are the “real heroes,” gaining experience with each attack, but facing dwindling supplies of spare parts.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Uncertainties
The situation remains precarious. Zelenskyy stated that no energy facility in Ukraine has been left unscathed by Russian attacks. The coming weeks are expected to be particularly difficult, even if the worst of the cold has passed.
FAQ
Q: What is the current situation with heating in Kyiv?
A: Hundreds of apartment buildings in Kyiv are without heating, or receive only intermittent warmth, due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
Q: What is Ukraine doing to address the energy crisis?
A: Ukraine is relying heavily on nuclear energy and importing electricity from western regions to support the east.
Q: What can individuals do to prepare for potential power outages?
A: Stock up on non-perishable food, water, flashlights, and a portable power bank.
Q: Is there any hope for improvement in the near future?
A: While the worst of the cold may be over, the energy system remains extremely vulnerable, and the situation is still uncertain.
Did you understand? The Ukrainian government is actively seeking international assistance to repair and rebuild its energy infrastructure.
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