Bomb Shelters and Blackouts: Surviving Winter in War-Torn Ukraine

Image Credit, NRC

The third winter of war in Ukraine has plunged millions into an abyss of fear, exhaustion, and unrelenting violence. Civilians, humanitarian workers, and critical infrastructure have become direct targets in a conflict that has transformed daily life into a relentless struggle for survival. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Secretary General Jan Egeland, during a visit to the war-ravaged nation, described a landscape where hope is battered daily by Russian missile and drone assaults.

Egeland’s observations from Kherson and Odessa paint a harrowing picture. Civilians are forced to seek refuge in bomb shelters multiple times each day, navigating a precarious existence between the persistent threat of attack and the freezing cold of winter. Millions have lost access to electricity, heating, and water—lifelines severed by deliberate strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. This strategic destruction, condemned as a violation of international law, has left more than one million people without power in recent weeks, with 60% of the country’s electricity-generating capacity obliterated.

Kherson, in particular, has borne the brunt of this violence. Over 9,500 drone attacks since mid-July have killed at least 37 civilians, injured hundreds more, and disrupted vital humanitarian efforts. Aid distribution centers have been struck, with devastating casualties among workers and civilians alike. The violence has placed both residents and humanitarians in a constant state of anxiety, hindering the delivery of life-saving aid to some of the country’s most vulnerable populations.

The human toll of this conflict is staggering. Civilian casualties have reached levels not seen since late 2022, with over 3,200 recorded between June and August alone. In Kherson, more than 70% of residents have exhausted their savings, leaving many unable to afford basic necessities like healthcare and heating. Families face impossible choices: risk their lives for aid at targeted distribution sites or endure the brutal winter without heat, food, or medical care.

The psychological weight of the war is equally crushing. Continuous drone activity over cities like Kherson not only threatens physical safety but also exacerbates an atmosphere of fear and instability. “This week, I have witnessed the effects of a modern military machine being directed at civilian areas and infrastructure,” Egeland lamented, urging all parties to de-escalate the conflict and ensure safe conditions for humanitarian operations.

Despite these dire circumstances, humanitarian workers persist, often at great personal risk. Over 50 aid workers have been killed or injured this year, highlighting the perilous environment in which they operate. Yet their presence remains a critical lifeline for those who have lost everything.

The NRC and other organizations continue to call for urgent action. The international community must prioritize protecting civilians and facilitating unhindered humanitarian access. Without immediate intervention, millions will continue to teeter on the edge of survival as Ukraine endures its third winter of a devastating war.

This unrelenting violence not only destroys lives but erodes the very fabric of Ukraine’s resilience. A cessation of hostilities is imperative, not just to alleviate suffering but to uphold the basic principles of humanity in the face of war’s unspeakable toll.