World · Europe · 16 hrs ago
Kiev residents weigh leaving as Russian attacks threaten winter power and heat
People in Kiev are deciding whether to stay through winter as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
A major power outage recently left large parts of the capital without electricity for much of a day and disrupted public transport.
Last winter, some residents faced freezing homes and lost power and heating during attacks on energy supplies.
One couple plans to move temporarily to Lviv in western Ukraine, but the timing depends partly on when their university switches to online classes.
A survey of 1,000 city residents found that about 40 percent were considering moving this winter if conditions worsen significantly.
Ukraine’s intelligence service says Russia plans to target systems that provide electricity, heat and water to major cities.
The attacks also add to fears in Kiev, where Russia has increasingly struck civilian sites and air-raid alerts now occur during the day as well as at night.
Russian attacks on Kyiv’s energy infrastructure have intensified ahead of winter, raising fears of power and heating outages.
About 40 percent of Ukrainians surveyed said they were considering relocating this winter if conditions deteriorate significantly.
Kyiv residents Kristina Musychenko and Maksym Kozakevych plan to move temporarily to Lviv for the winter.
A large power outage in Kyiv left much of the city without electricity for most of a Thursday, disrupting public transport.
Ukrainian officials say Russia is planning strikes on energy and other infrastructure, while residents also face growing attacks on civilian sites.
- Who
- Kyiv residents are weighing whether to stay or leave; Kristina Musychenko and Maksym Kozakevych plan to move temporarily.
- What
- Russian attacks threaten power and heating supplies ahead of winter.
- When
- Ahead of the coming winter; the article was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Kyiv, Ukraine; the couple plans to move to Lviv in western Ukraine.
- Why
- Residents fear cold and disruptions to electricity and heating if Russian attacks worsen.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The power outages were not the problem; I can cope with them. But the cold—that is hard to bear.
Only for the winter. We will definitely come back.
Temperatures fell to minus 20 degrees as Russian attacks on energy supplies caused electricity and heating outages.
A Gradus poll found that about 40 percent of surveyed Ukrainians were considering relocating if conditions worsened significantly.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal presented information about planned Russian attacks on energy supplies at a Ukraine Contact Group meeting in Paris.
A Russian drone attack in Kyiv injured a woman, according to the article’s photo caption.
A large emergency power shutdown left much of Kyiv without electricity for most of a Thursday and halted public transport.
- Survey
- About 40 percent of respondents were considering relocating if conditions worsened
- Survey sample
- 1,000 Ukrainians aged 18 to 60 in cities with more than 50,000 residents
- Planned targets
- 60 sites, according to Radio Liberty’s Schemy project
- Targeted supply reduction
- Up to 90 percent, according to information presented by Ukraine’s intelligence service
- Couple’s planned destination
- Lviv, western Ukraine
- Last winter’s low temperature
- Minus 20 degrees
Sources
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