Ukraine Fights to Keep the Lights On as Russia Targets Power Plants
Amidst the rubble of a Ukrainian thermal power station, a stark juxtaposition emerges: engineers toil in freezing conditions under a roof pocked with holes from shrapnel, while snow dusts the machinery inside. The relentless assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, now entering its third winter since Russia’s invasion, has placed the nation under immense strain.
Inside Ukraine’s Fight for Power
Engineers on the Energy Frontline
At an undisclosed thermal power plant recently hit by Russian airstrikes, the workers’ resilience is palpable. Standing by makeshift braziers for warmth, they continue repairing equipment under tarpaulins, despite repeated attacks.
“The conditions are tough,” admits Oleksandr, one of the engineers. “Everything gets destroyed again from one strike to the next.”
Russia’s latest wave of strikes has exacerbated the challenge, reducing Ukraine’s generation capacity by 9GW—half of what’s needed during peak winter heating.
Aid from Western Allies
Support from Ukraine’s allies is crucial. On Monday, the European Commission and the U.S. provided £89 million to DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, to restore capacity and protect vital equipment.
But for workers like Oleksandr, it remains an uphill battle. “Some are defending the frontlines,” says Dmytro from the control room. “We have our own energy front to defend.”
How Civilians Are Adapting to Power Cuts
Innovations in Urban Living
As power cuts become a daily reality, Ukrainians are finding creative solutions. In Kyiv’s Pozniaky neighborhood, residents of a 25-story block pooled resources to install a battery-powered system to run a single lift and pump hot water to upper floors.
“It’s scary how happy I am just to have these basic needs met,” says Nataliya Andriyko, a 19th-floor resident. “That I can take the dog downstairs in the lift rather than in the dark.”
From generators buzzing in the streets to solar panels on rooftops, Ukrainians continue to innovate, showcasing their resilience.
Turning Challenges into Comedy
Even amid hardship, humor finds a way. The upcoming film Zbory OSBB (Meeting of the Homeowner’s Association) captures the comedic chaos of neighbors debating how to buy a generator before winter.
“When you have more than 10 people trying to agree, it’s always partly funny,” says writer and producer Ivan Melashenko. The film blends relatable humor with the stark realities of war, offering audiences a much-needed emotional reprieve.
Resilience Amid Adversity
For Ukraine, the fight to keep the lights on is about more than surviving another winter. It’s about defiance, unity, and the unwavering determination to adapt and persevere.
For more on Ukraine’s resilience, read the full report here.
