Ukraine's fourth winter of war leaves thousands in freezing, powerless apartments

Ukraine is facing its fourth winter of war under brutal conditions. Russian attacks on energy infrastructure have left thousands without heat, winter storm, power, or water. A recent poll shows most Ukrainians remain determined to resist, despite the hardships.

The destruction of the Darnytsia thermal power plant has left entire districts without heating. Repairs won't happen before the end of winter storm, forcing residents to endure freezing temperatures. In one apartment, Vera Fedirivna, an elderly woman, now relies on heated tents to stay warm.

Olexandra Stefanjuk's home has been without heat for over a month and without water for ten days. Temperatures inside dropped to just four degrees, and damp walls worsened the conditions. She briefly fled to western Ukraine for shelter but returned to Kyiv in late January, unable to afford staying away.

Taisa Jastremska has adapted her apartment into a resilient space. She secured backup power and set up makeshift heating and sleeping areas. Yet many others struggle with no clear solutions in sight.

Across major cities, the damage is severe. In Kyiv, 1,170 buildings lost heating, while Odessa saw over 50,000 residents cut off from electricity after recent strikes. Nationwide, around 325,000 people may be forced to leave their apartments for rent due to the failures.

Frustration is growing among citizens, with criticism directed at officials like Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The humanitarian crisis deepens as winter storm drags on, yet a poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology found 65% of Ukrainians are prepared to endure the war 'as long as necessary'. Another 88% believe Russia's attacks on energy infrastructure aim to pressure Ukraine into peace talks.

The war's fourth winter has brought extreme hardship, with energy systems in ruins and thousands displaced. Despite the challenges, public resolve remains strong, though anger at political leaders continues to rise. Recovery efforts face delays, leaving many to survive in freezing conditions for months to come.