In the heart of Kyiv, a bitter winter has taken a heavy toll, freezing residents' lives as Russia relentlessly targets their power supply. Natalya Pavlovna, a resident, describes a scene of resilience amidst the cold. Her son, Danylo, plays with Legos inside a warm tent, while adults sip tea and charge their phones in an emergency facility. The air outside is frigid, with temperatures reaching -18C, yet the community finds solace in each other. Natalya's words echo a grim reality: 'Russia is attempting to break us. It's deliberate genocide against the Ukrainian people.'
The Kremlin's relentless bombing of energy infrastructure has left 2,600 buildings in Kyiv without power or heating. Substations, thermal power plants, and the valiant efforts of rescue workers have been targeted, leaving the electricity network vulnerable. As the winter deepens, Russia's aerial campaign intensifies, mirroring the devastating 1932-33 famine in Soviet Ukraine, where millions perished. The words 'holodomor' (extermination by starvation) and 'kholodomor' (death by cold) resonate with the current crisis.
The impact is particularly harsh on families with children. Toby Fricker, a spokesperson for Unicef, highlights the disruption to education, as 45% of schools in Kyiv are closed due to a lack of central heating. Some mothers exchange tips in chat groups about affordable accommodation abroad, while others choose to stay, fearing the loss of family connections. Yuliia, a mother of six-year-old twins, expresses the dilemma: 'I see reasons to leave and to remain. At the moment we are together with my parents. If I left, I would lose them.'
In the face of adversity, Kyiv residents display ingenuity. They purchase power banks, camping gear, gas cylinders, and generators, becoming a familiar sight on the city's icy streets. Some heat bricks and rocks over gas stoves, while others erect tents inside living rooms. Cafes and shelters provide temporary refuge, and Ukraine's state emergency service sets up shelters with beds. Julia Po, an artist, showcases her insulated home, where she sleeps under two blankets, wearing thermal underwear and a hoodie, despite the challenges.
The crisis has taken a toll on the city's infrastructure. Julia Po's building, dating back to the 70s and the Soviet era, struggles to cope with the harsh conditions. The artist, who has a gas stove and a boiler, acknowledges her privilege compared to some neighbors. The blackouts have disproportionately affected pensioners, who often cannot afford extra equipment, trapping them in their flats. At least 10 people have died from hypothermia, and 1,469 have been hospitalized.
Maxim Timchenko, the head of the energy provider DTEK, paints a grim picture. He states that Moscow has wiped out 80% of his company's power generation capacity, emphasizing the humanitarian and national crisis. Only one out of five DTEK power plants is connected to the electricity grid, with repairs hindered by the frozen conditions. Timchenko calls for urgent international assistance, including additional air defenses, ammunition, and an energy ceasefire.
Oleh Yaruta, a DTEK engineer, describes the overloaded power grid, which has suffered burnouts due to the use of electric heaters and boilers. He repairs an underground power cable, showcasing the list of pending repair jobs caused by outages across the capital. His sentiment towards the Russians is clear: 'They are devils and orcs. They are bombing because they can't conquer us.'
Despite the challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Earlier this week, electricity returned to some left-bank buildings, offering a brief respite. Natasha Naboka shares her experience of sharing a bed with her daughter and their Yorkshire terrier during a cold January night. The lack of a working fridge and the need to wash clothes by hand add to the hardships, but the community's resilience shines through.
The criticism of the city authorities for failing to protect infrastructure has sparked debate. Volodymyr Zelenskyy points fingers at the mayor, Vitali Klitschko, while Naboka places the blame squarely on Russia's shoulders, attributing the crisis to Putin's jealousy and unhealthy ambition. As the war continues, Kyiv residents endure, finding strength in unity and resilience, even in the face of freezing temperatures and a relentless enemy.
