Residents of Kyiv are struggling through a brutal winter amid severe cold temperatures reaching -18C, with many homes lacking heating and electricity due to Russian bombardment of the city's energy infrastructure. Emergency facilities, like those in the Troieshchina district, offer some respite for families as they cope with the harsh conditions, but the overall situation remains dire as people brave the cold both day and night.

Natalya Pavlovna, a local mother, expressed her despair over the situation, asserting that the attacks are an attempt by Russia to inflict suffering on the Ukrainian people. She described the current realities of living in Kyiv, which now feels like a frontline city, and highlighted the danger of people dying from the cold in their own homes. Pavlovna noted that this strategy appears to be aimed at creating a new wave of refugees that would burden Europe.

With over 2,600 buildings in Kyiv without power, the psychological and physical toll on residents is substantial. The bombing of energy facilities has been a tactic employed by Russia since the beginning of its full-scale invasion nearly four years ago, and this winter has amplified the impact of these attacks, showcasing the deep humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine as civilians contend with both military aggression and severe weather conditions.