Many Ukrainians are facing the onset of winter with little or no electricity and no hot water, as the first winter snows have fallen across the country, after more than a month and a half of bombardment on the country’s energy network.
From our special correspondent in kyiv, Clea Broadhurst
Tania is sitting at a table in the café, because the electricity has just been cut at home – as it is three times a day, for 4 hours. She is preparing, like many, for a harsh winter.
” We have warm clothes, socks, plaids and blankets. We think about buying an electric battery, at least for our fridge, because when the electricity is cut, we lose our food. And if we don’t get one, our balcony will be our fridge “.
At the bottom of his building is a small shop run by Natalia. She and her husband have invested in a generator because they sell fresh produce, such as meat and cheese.
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” It’s expensive and uncomfortable, here it’s small, and the generator is very big and very noisy. Many find it too noisy, but everyone is happy to come and buy fresh produce. And then sometimes, we are asked to boil water or to charge electrical appliances. We do our best “.
Scheduled outages should save electricity. In her kitchen, Genia is stocking up on hot water for the hours to come. ” I have resentment and it annoys me, but when you know what the soldiers are going through who are fighting for us, for our victory, for our lives… It’s more difficult for them than for me, they don’t have no minimum comfort, no electricity, no water, no heating… If I don’t have electricity, well, I’ll put up with it! ‘Cause it’s worse for them and they protect us “, she relativizes. A sacrifice that Genia is ready to endure, however long it takes.
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