In Ukraine, residents prepare for a harsh winter in the event of power cuts

As winter arrives in Ukraine, residents prepare to face the cold and power cuts due to bombing. Volodymir Zelensky said he expected massive strikes on energy infrastructure, like last winter.

While in Ukraine the front seems to be freezing, the population sees winter arriving with fear. Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky said he expected a massive Russian bombing campaign to target energy infrastructure, like last winter. Recent drone attacks, intended to test air defense systems, could be a harbinger of these bombings.

In the south and east of the country, areas close to the front line, thousands of Ukrainians are without electricity following Russian strikes on energy infrastructure, according to Ukraine’s Energy Ministry. And in kyiv, the population is preparing. In the entrance to Vladislav and Katia’s apartment, a mattress has been rolled up against the wall to sleep away from the bedroom windows, which are deadly in the event of an explosion, when the sirens sound.

The last few weeks have been rather calm, until last Friday and the resumption of attacks. But Vladislav and Katia are no longer able to take advantage of these lulls. ” No because in fact, we are used to it, she continues. And then, how long has it been since we had major bombings in a row? That’s what’s worrying, there hasn’t been any.“

Provisions from summer

Last year’s attacks on energy targets took them by surprise. Generators, giant batteries, prices had exploded. This year, they prepared in the summer. ” We started buying generators, says Vladislav. To think about a long-term strategy if this continues, if there is no electricity to survive the winter.“

In their apartment there is an “eco-flow”, a kind of large battery and lamp, capable of charging several phones and computers. In reserve, there are also thirty gas bottles, flashlights, candles and two 160-liter water bottles.

In addition to these adjustments, their phone is now in war mode. Vladislav and Katia installed an application for air alerts, another to find shelters or to find out the times of power load shedding. In recent days, the streets of kyiv have turned white at night. Katia, anxious, does not watch for the snowflakes, but now for the sky.