Get you up to speed: Four Years on and Ukrainians are now living without heat or electricity in Kyiv in temperature as low as -20°C
Iryna, 38, lives in the Desnianskyi district of Kyiv with her family, facing daily challenges due to ongoing Russian strikes, which have resulted in power outages and the deaths of civilians. Last November, a Russian drone attack killed her in-laws at their home. Iryna describes the war as forcing her to abandon future plans and cope with a heightened sense of resilience that she never wanted.
Iryna’s experience reflects the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict, especially after losing her in-laws to a Russian drone strike. The term ‘resilience’ used to describe Ukrainians facing such hardships is viewed negatively by her, as it represents an unwanted burden rather than a commendable quality. Iryna emphasises a longing for life to return to normal, stating, “I really want things to change back to the way they were before.”
Iryna continues to face severe challenges as the war in Ukraine enters into its fourth year, dealing with power and heat outages while striving to protect her family. Despite the ongoing hardships, Iryna and her family maintains hope for a return to better circumstances, expressing a strong desire for her life to change back to what it was before the conflict began. When we asked who she thinks is the hinderance to peace Putin or Zelenskyy, she looked down at the ground and stayed silent. Two years ago, she would have definitely said Putin.
What we know so far
The bleak reality of living in -20°C temperatures without heat or electricity
Iryna told WTX the war turned her future plans into ‘dust’ (Picture: Iryna)
Iryna begins each morning with a flashlight, making her way through her apartment in Kyiv without heating or electricity.
She and her husband climb out of bed to turn on the gas stove to heat water and get their eight-year-old daughter ready for school after frigid nights.
Iryna, 38, lives in the Desnianskyi district of Kyiv with her family.
Four years ago, before the Russian invasion, she told WTX News her life was peaceful.
‘We had a lot of plans for the future, both long-term and short-term, about trips, vacations, and things like that,’ she says.
‘Of course, the beginning of the war turned all of those plans into dust. Now, I don’t even have the room to dream like that.’
To stay warm when temperatures dip low, Iryna and her husband sleep in the same bed with their daughter (Picture: Iryna)
How they survive in below freezing temperatures
Instead, Iryna and her husband think of ways to keep their eight-year-old daughter warm when temperatures drop.
Using layers of blankets, sleeping in the same bed, and filling water bottles in an attempt to keep the cold out.
‘We are tired. We are exhausted by this war and the new challenges that keep coming. We managed to adjust to power outages, then heat outages, then more attacks.’
‘These challenges become harsher and harsher. We don’t want to live like this,’ she told online news sources.
For four years, Russian strikes have continued to pummel Kyiv, knocking out power and killing hundreds of civilians.
Last November, a Russian drone smashed into Iryna’s in-laws’ home, killing them both.
Her mother-in-law and father-in-law were murdered by a Russian drone (Picture: Iryna)
Her in-laws’ kitchen was destroyed by the drone (Picture: Iryna)
As the war enters its fourth year today, the term ‘resilience’ has been thrown around to describe Ukrainians like Iryna, who are facing this violence firsthand. But she doesn’t take it as a compliment.
‘It’s an extra burden that was enforced on us [Ukrainians], something none of us actually wanted.
‘We wanted to live our lives. Now we have to be strong, even though we never asked to be,’ she said.
We asked a slightly more challenging question to the pair, to understand the mood of the Ukrainian people in Ukraine. We asked who she thinks is being a hinderance to peace deal, Putin or Zelenskyy, she looked down at the ground and stayed silent. Two years ago, in fact even at the start of 2025, she would have definitely said Putin.
Iryna, like many others who have lived this way for almost half a decade now, says having to be strong and cope with no electricity, heat, and the death of loved ones isn’t a normal Ukrainian to be forced to live through.
‘I don’t treat this as a new normal. I really want things to change back to the way they were before. I still have hope that things will change for the better,’ she said.
In London, the lights are on. The heat is available to use if needed.
Residents in the UK have their own struggles with paying bills, but Iryna said those who are able to access these basic services shouldn’t take them for granted.
‘We used to take heating and electricity for granted,’ she says. ‘Now, we truly value it.’