How are people in Kyiv staying warm during power outages?

Residents are layering clothing, using pets as heat sources, and relying on battery-powered devices and "invincibility points" for warmth.

What is the impact of Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure?

The attacks have caused widespread power outages and severe heating issues across Ukraine, exacerbating the harsh winter conditions.

What are "invincibility points" in Kyiv?

These are designated centers providing warmth, device charging, and a place to work for residents affected by power outages.

Home / War and Conflict / Kyiv Freezes: Cat Becomes a Living Hot Water Bottle

Kyiv Freezes: Cat Becomes a Living Hot Water Bottle

17 Jan

•

Summary

Kyiv apartments have plunged to 10 degrees Celsius due to power outages.
Residents use cats and layered clothing to stay warm in frigid temperatures.
Russia's attacks on energy infrastructure intensify Ukraine's harsh winter.

Kyiv Freezes: Cat Becomes a Living Hot Water Bottle

In Kyiv, residents are facing sub-zero temperatures and widespread power outages following Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Apartments have plummeted to 10 degrees Celsius, well below WHO recommendations. Kateryna Skurydina uses her cat, Pushok, as a natural hot water bottle, layering clothing and blankets to survive the cold. This situation highlights the severe impact of the energy crisis, described as the harshest winter in 20 years.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky declared a state of emergency for the energy sector. Hundreds of buildings in Kyiv remain without heating, and emergency power outages have affected cities nationwide, including Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Zhytomyr, and Kharkiv. Many schools and businesses have closed due to the extreme cold and lack of power, with even diesel generators failing in the frigid conditions.