Ukraine is facing its toughest winter in years. With January temperatures dipping below -15°C, Russian attacks on energy facilities have left nearly a million people without heat. Kyiv has been hit hard, and according to Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, around 6,000 apartment blocks lost heating after the recent bombardment on January 24.
These attacks aren’t new. This is the third strike on Kyiv’s heating infrastructure in just two weeks. Residents are feeling the strain. “Living in Kyiv is like a gamble,” says Rita, a local. “Sometimes you have heat but no electricity. Other times, you have water but no heat.” She often goes to bed bundled up in layers and a hat, just to stay warm.
The problem is mostly due to the reliance on communal heating systems. In many Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, residents depend on large heating plants. When these are attacked, it affects thousands. The Ukrainian energy expert Yuriy Korolchuk notes that about 11 million households were dependent on this type of heating before the war began.
Historically, Ukraine’s heating system stems from Soviet-era designs. In the 1950s, cities constructed mass housing units that dominated urban landscapes. Many of these buildings rely on large centralized heating plants called TETs. Korolchuk points out that these plants weren’t designed to withstand missile attacks, revealing a significant vulnerability that didn’t exist in warmer winters pre-2022.
Experts agree that targeting heating systems is a new strategy for Russia, aimed at exerting pressure during peace negotiations. “In past winters, such strikes were rare,” Korolchuk says. It’s a tactic that raises the stakes for civilians caught in the crossfire.
In response, the Ukrainian government is working to shift towards individual heating systems in apartment blocks. This change won’t be easy, as it requires a significant overhaul of decades-old infrastructure. However, making these adjustments is crucial for the long-term resilience of cities facing such brutal winters.
As these challenges continue, social media trends show that support for Ukraine is growing internationally. Many users are expressing solidarity and calling for increased humanitarian assistance to help those affected. With winter in full swing and the war ongoing, the world watches and waits—hoping for resolution and relief.
Source link
