As the summer heatwave intensifies in Ukraine, the country is grappling with a severe electricity crisis, a direct result of relentless Russian attacks on its power infrastructure. The capital city of Kyiv is experiencing rolling blackouts, with entire districts going without power for hours, forcing residents to adapt to a lifestyle reminiscent of the pre-20th century. According to Ukrenergo, the country’s power utility company, the city’s power system has been severely damaged, leaving it unable to generate half of its usual electricity capacity.
Residents are now forced to rely on alternative sources of electricity and light, including generators, power banks, and flashlights. Many are going back to older methods, such as lighting their homes with candles and small flashlights. “I light my apartment as our grandparents used to – with candles and small flashlights,” said Rudoy, a 40-year-old insurance agent from Israel who relocated to Kyiv in 2023. The situation is expected to worsen, with Ukrenergo announcing plans to present investment projects at a summit in Berlin this month that could enable additional electricity capacity.
Ukraine’s power grid has been crippled by missile and drone attacks, leaving the country with a significant shortfall in its power generation capacity. As of early June, Ukraine had lost 9.2 gigawatts of electricity generating capabilities due to these attacks. In response, the power utility company has been forced to ration household supplies over the last three months, and officials have repeatedly called on allied countries to provide more air defense systems to protect its power plants from further attacks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Despite this, Ukraine still imports 1.7 gigawatts of electricity from European countries, but it has the capacity to import 2.2 gigawatts. This shortage is forcing small businesses, such as coffee shops, to struggle to stay afloat. However, some business owners remain optimistic, believing that the situation will improve eventually. “We think the situation will get worse by winter,” said Oleksandr Solovei, the 25-year-old owner of the Informatyka coffee shop. “We already plan to buy a generator, powerful enough to brew coffee, light the space, and charge the devices of our visitors. We are preparing for a hard winter.”
As the situation continues to worsen, the country is bracing for a difficult winter ahead. With no clear solution in sight, residents are being forced to adapt to a new reality, one where power outages are a regular occurrence. For many, the summer blackouts are a harsh reminder of the country’s vulnerability to Russian aggression and the need for sustained support from the international community.
