Winter and war collide in Kyiv

As Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine's capital and autumn temperatures drop, residents face twin threats: drone and missile strikes plus the biting cold ahead.

Last winter was unbearable

Mariia Shostak, a mother of two, endured sub-zero temperatures and frequent power cuts from Russian attacks on the power grid. She says there were weeks that were unbearable.

“There were some days and weeks that were unbearable.”

Attacks escalated in late August

Everything changed in late August and early September when Kyiv started being attacked around the clock. Drones and missiles now hit the centre, not just the outskirts.

“Everything changed in late August and the beginning of September, when Kyiv started being attacked around the clock.”

Kyiv mayor warns of dramatic situation

By the end of September, Russian attacks had hit petrol stations, power plants and key bridges over the Dnipro river. Kyiv mayor Vitaly Klitschko said the city was tearing apart.

“tearing Kyiv apart”

Mariia packs up and leaves

Unwilling to subject her children Artur, four, and Kira, two, to another dangerous winter, Mariia is taking them abroad to Hurghada on Egypt's Red Sea coast.

“I don't feel safe in Ukraine in any way.”

Forty percent consider leaving

A September survey by Gradus research found forty percent of Ukrainians were considering relocating if conditions deteriorated. Thirty five percent said they would not move, twenty five percent were undecided.

Families with children most vulnerable

Iryna's three-year-old daughter Polina struggled last winter without heating for weeks. Two missile attacks this year have worsened her anxiety, causing incontinence, vomiting and uncontrollable shaking.

“There are new symptoms after each shelling.”

Some seek refuge in the countryside

Olena Konoplia moved to a cottage in a rural community two hours outside Kyiv. She chose a village without factories, warehouses or railway stations, everything that can be a Russian target.

“Everything that can be a Russian target.”

Olena finds peace in the village

The cottage has gas heaters and firewood for power cuts. Olena has installed high-speed internet for her work at a Kyiv-based charitable foundation and sleeps better without explosions.

“After several nights here, when I can sleep, just sleep, without any explosions, without any sirens, I feel better.”

City prepares for vulnerable residents

Kyiv authorities are offering places in converted sanatoriums and rehabilitation centres in forested outskirts to elderly people and women with young children.Around fifteen small-scale power plants have been built in fortified bunkers over eighteen months.

Most residents will stay for now

Energy companies are talking about scheduled power cuts and supermarkets face periodic shortages.But Gradus founder Evgeniya Blyznyuk says most people will postpone leaving until conditions become really unliveable, reluctant to jeopardise jobs or children's schooling.

“They will postpone it until conditions become really unliveable.”