Russia’s attempt of invading Ukraine on 24 February, 2022 marked a significant escalation in the conflict, leading to a full-fledged war between Russia and Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has caused a serious energy crisis, greatly impacting citizens’ lives, including those with critical health needs like Tetiana’s son in Odesa. Russian airstrikes on energy facilities have led to prolonged blackouts, with some areas enduring up to 12 hours without power daily. Tetiana struggles with maintaining a petrol generator for her son’s medical equipment, facing difficulties in accessing emergency services during outages.
Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has suffered significant damage, losing nine gigawatts of capacity in recent months—more than a third of its pre-war capability. State-owned thermal and hydropower plants have been targeted and damaged by Russian attacks, worsened by high summer temperatures that increase demand for electricity, especially for air conditioning.
To manage the energy deficit, Ukrenergo has implemented widespread power cuts affecting millions, forcing reliance on fuel-powered generators and power banks. In Kyiv, residents, particularly those in high-rise buildings like Roksolana’s, cope with disrupted water supply and non-functional lifts during blackouts, limiting movement and safety during airstrikes.
In Zaporizhzhia, dentist Volodymyr Stefaniv faces challenges providing medical care during frequent power outages, using generators and head torches for surgeries. Despite these hardships, he continues offering discounted services to Ukrainian soldiers, adapting skills learned on the front lines.
Maria Tsaturian of Ukrenergo acknowledges public frustration but underscores the necessity of these measures in the middle of the war. She explains the Russian strategy to cripple Ukraine’s economy and daily life by targeting energy infrastructure, vital for sustaining Ukrainian society.
Ukraine’s war induced-energy crisis has led to severe power shortages, disrupting daily life and essential services, especially affecting vulnerable populations. Despite these challenges, Ukrainians demonstrate resilience and determination in adapting to and enduring the ongoing conflict.
