Ukraine is once again struggling to maintain stability in Ukraine’s power network as Russian drone and missile strikes intensify. The attacks have targeted key electricity and gas facilities, leading to frequent blackouts and a growing fear of a harsh winter ahead.
In the northern city of Chernihiv, 59-year-old cook Natalia Meshok begins work at 2 a.m. She uses the limited hours of stable electricity to prepare meals for children at a local nursery. The city has been hit repeatedly in recent weeks, leaving residents dependent on generators and candlelight.
“It’s dark and quiet outside, but I still go,” Meshok said. “The children are waiting, and we must feed them.”
The latest strikes are part of a broader campaign aimed at crippling Ukraine’s power supply before winter. Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk warned that the attacks have become more frequent and precise in recent months. She said authorities are preparing for multiple scenarios, including severe power shortages.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy revealed that Russia launched more than 3,000 drones and 92 missiles in one week alone. Although Moscow denies targeting civilians, Ukrainian officials say the attacks on energy infrastructure are meant to break morale and pressure the government.
At a kindergarten in Chernihiv, most children spend their days in a basement that doubles as an air raid shelter. The generator provides light but no heat, forcing many parents to keep children at home where gas heaters offer some warmth.
Experts warn that continued strikes on Ukraine’s power grid and gas systems could lead to longer outages across the country. Some officials are advising families to move to rural areas where wood or direct gas supplies are still available.
Despite the challenges, Ukrainians remain defiant. “They want to break us,” said Meshok. “But we will survive and rebuild.”
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