January 2023 was likely Ukraine's coldest in 16 years, with temperatures plummeting to lows of -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit) as reported by preliminary data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service. This extreme cold was paradoxically intensified by ongoing Russian attacks, which severely damaged the country's energy infrastructure. Many regions faced power shortages, resulting in homes lacking sufficient heating and causing outdoor temperatures to feel even more brutal, as icy conditions took over daily life.

Between January 11 and 21, average daily temperatures dropped to alarming levels, ranging from -8.3 degrees Celsius (17 degrees Fahrenheit) to -12.6 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit). The dire weather prompted warnings from aid organizations about the increasing humanitarian crisis amidst the ongoing conflict. As temperatures remained below freezing, roads became treacherous ice-rinks, and trees showed signs of foliage loss due to the extreme cold, highlighting the severe implications of both the war and the weather on civilians.

Oxfam and other humanitarian groups asserted that the harsh winter conditions further complicated the lives of those already suffering due to the war, impacting their ability to access heat, water, and basic necessities. The compounded effects of the cold and the conflict illustrate not only the challenges faced by Ukrainians but also the urgent need for international support and the restoration of infrastructure to adequately meet the needs of the population during this critical period.