Ukrainians freezing in the dark as Russia targets power grid

By Pierfrancesco Loreto

Russian military continues to strike Ukraine’s power network, leaving families with no access to electricity and heating as temperatures drop to -20° Celsius.

Two weeks ago, a large-scale Russian offensive targeted the electrical grid in Kyiv and urban areas nationwide. As a result, in the capital, residents are still dealing with power and heat blackouts throughout a biting cold spell.

It is not the first time that something similar has happened during the war, as Russia targets Ukraine’s energy supply network each winter.

But in this case, the January 9th attack has caused extensive damage, leading to frequent power outages.

Maintenance teams have been working relentlessly but have had difficulty resolving the power outage, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared a state of energy emergency.

To stem the crisis, Ukraine is importing electricity and installing generators to stabilise the grid.

With no heating in many apartments since the January 9th offensive, residents wear thermal underwear and blankets as a stopgap measure to feel some sort of warmth.

At the same time, they strive to conceal any concerns, especially for the sake of their children. At home, it has become common to use flashlights and fairy lights and have candlelit dinners. In addition, parents are also taking their kids sledging on the snow.

As for elderly residents, some of them are comparing the current situation to what they faced during the Second World War. After the German invasion, there was no heat, water, or intermittent power, but they pretended everything was normal.

It comes as the Ukrainian capital is experiencing its most frigid winter in years, with such freezing weather unusual for the city even in January.

According to some sources, the Kremlin decided to launch such a large-scale strike on electric facilities now, just because of the freezing cold, to maximise damage.

The UN’s Winter Response Plan

Since 2022, the Government has set up so-called “Invincibility Points” in tents or in public facilities such as schools and libraries, where people can take shelter, charge electronic devices, and receive basic assistance.

Mobile heating hubs have also been launched by the State Emergency Services and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. Aid organisations have supported the project by providing equipment, hot meals, and technical support.

The United Nations and humanitarian actors are also conducting activities as part of the Winter Response Plan for Ukraine, launched last July. According to the plan, nearly US$280 million is needed to deliver comprehensive, life-saving support and services to 1.7 million vulnerable Ukrainians exposed to severe cold between October 2025 and March 2026.

Humanitarian workers are helping to insulate and repair damaged homes, and to provide winter clothes, blankets, fuel, and radiators. They are also setting up shelters, distributing money for heating and utilities, and coordinating services in unsafe zones.

Despite these efforts, the constant strikes on the electric power grid have caused operational damage far worse than expected.

Therefore, many households are in freezing conditions, with senior citizens and individuals with disabilities unable to leave their homes in tower blocks. Without access to electricity or heating, they cannot even cook hot meals or recharge their electronic devices.

Earlier this week, Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, accused Russia of attacking Ukraine’s national electricity system despite thorough and verified public information on the devastating consequences on the local population. Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians, despite bombings tearing down Ukrainian territories and the witnessed execution of civilians throughout the war.