Olena Janchuk is facing another day of harsh isolation in her high-rise apartment in Kyiv. Struggling with severe rheumatoid arthritis, she has been confined to the 19th floor of her building for weeks due to the ongoing power outages caused by Russia’s attacks on power facilities. The lack of electricity has rendered the elevators inoperable, making daily activities a challenge.
With temperatures dropping to -10°C in January, Janchuk’s living conditions are harsh, with frost forming inside her windows. To stay warm, she has set up a makeshift fireplace using candles and bricks to absorb and radiate heat slowly. The apartment is equipped with overloaded power strips, charging cables strewn across the floor, and a power bank connected to an electric blanket for warmth during the coldest hours.
Residents of Kyiv, a city of about three million people, are adapting to life without constant electricity, with power being rationed. Daily routines revolve around the limited electricity schedule, from cooking and showering to charging devices and running essential appliances. Residents have resorted to using camping gas burners for heating and storing water in containers.
In Janchuk’s building, located near a power station, residents witness firsthand the missile and drone attacks, with flashes illuminating the night sky. During blackouts, navigating the dark staircases becomes a common challenge, with some leaving supplies in elevators for those stranded mid-ride. While some upscale neighborhoods pool resources for generators, many residents, including pensioners and individuals with disabilities, cannot afford such luxuries.
Advocates are urging city officials to provide generators for residential buildings to alleviate the challenges faced by residents. In the absence of a consistent power supply, households rely on USB lamps, power banks, and inverter batteries as essential items. Neighbors use messaging apps to support one another and share updates during blackouts.
The energy infrastructure in Ukraine has suffered significant damage due to the attacks, leading to widespread power outages and disruptions. Despite the difficulties, residents like Janchuk and her family remain resilient, adapting to life around the unpredictable electricity schedule until a resolution to the conflict is found.