How Ukrainians Are Protecting Their Homes Against Russia’s Winter Offensive
Kyiv Post • • general
Key Points:
- Kyiv faces power cuts lasting up to 20 hours daily due to Russian strikes on thermal plants, causing widespread heating and lighting outages amid severe cold weather, but essential services continue operating.
- Ukraine's resilience stems from effective air defenses destroying most incoming drones and missiles, continued operation of combined heat and power plants, and decentralized mini-CHPs and boiler houses that are harder to target.
- Residents have modernized Soviet-era apartment buildings through Condominium Owners Associations (OSBBs), improving energy efficiency with upgraded heating systems, insulation, solar panels, LED lighting, and battery backups to maintain warmth and power during outages.
- Kyiv city supports these upgrades by funding 70% of energy-efficiency project costs, encouraging over 1,500 OSBBs
