Following a nationwide power outage over the weekend and a Russian drone and missile strike on Kyiv on Tuesday night, 1,170 apartment blocks in the capital are without heat as outside temperatures plunge below −20 °C (−4 °F). Many residential buildings have been without heat and electricity for weeks after Russian forces destroyed critical infrastructure; some households also lack running water.
Kyiv’s mayor, former boxer Vitali Klitschko, said municipal services and energy providers are “working around the clock to restore heat and light.” The municipality says crews are doing all they can to restore water, heating and electricity to affected buildings.
In the Solomianskyi district one block has had no central heating for two weeks. Resident Sviatoslava told DW she carries pots of boiling water into her bedroom, sleeps fully clothed in a sleeping bag and spends much of the day in the kitchen. “The gas stove is always on, but I have to air the room from time to time so I don’t suffocate,” she said. Workers drained water from radiators in time to prevent freeze damage, and a plumber advised pouring hot water down toilets periodically to stop pipes from bursting.
Large northern Troieshchyna was also hit hard. Authorities have set up army tents and so-called Invincibility Points—emergency shelters offering heat, tea and generators for charging devices. An older resident said her building has power only six to eight hours a day and has been without heating for a week. “It’s impossible to stay warm inside,” she said, but added that having gas allows them to cook and warm the kitchen.
Valeriy, another resident, said people have been heating bricks on gas stoves because stoves cannot be left on for long without causing headaches. He runs a solar generator on his balcony, charges power banks at the supermarket, and bought drinking water there after his building’s supply failed. Despite hardships and rising food prices, many say surrender is not an option. “Most think it would be better to hold out. We don’t want to live with the Russians,” Valeriy said.
Residents and housing managers have taken initiative where repairs are slow. Tetiana, a housing manager, reported that long-distance district heating arrives at about 65 °C but radiators in apartments remain only lukewarm. Private company plumbers sent to fix the problem were reportedly called away by their foreman before completing work. Instead of waiting, Tetiana and neighbors insulated exposed basement pipes themselves using mineral wool, donated blankets and other materials, and plan to check attics for further insulation needs.
The city says each district hosts an Invincibility Point. Iryna, a Red Cross volunteer at a shelter located in a school since 2022, said most people come in the evening for warmth, hot drinks and food; a social worker records requests and they help where possible.
Lyudmyla Vakulenko, an assistant principal, is coordinating installation of a mobile heating unit with municipal workers. Her school has opened three classrooms for younger children whose kindergarten lacks heat and provided sleeping space on the ground floor for about 20 municipal workers who traveled from surrounding cities to help. Despite conditions, classes continue: “We always have teachers on duty, and classes are ongoing. We must take care of our children’s education.”
This article was originally written in German.