The daily life of Ukrainians is difficult this winter. The country’s energy infrastructure is regularly bombed by Russia, leaving entire cities without electricity or heating. The cold and the absence of light considerably complicate the days of the inhabitants of kyiv and other cities, not to mention the shortages of drinking water which affect part of the country.
This infographic shows the daily life of the home of Volodymyr Agafonkin, a computer scientist in the Ukrainian capital. His surveillance camera records the times when his home is cut off from the electricity network. The periods when he has no power at home are marked in black. In blue, the night hours. In white, the daytime hours. He kindly accepted that L’Express resume his work, originally published on this site. And he shared these impressions with us.
The electricity consumption of Volodymyr Agafonkin, a resident of kyiv.
© / Infographic Sonar 3729 ukraine kyiv blackout current electricity
“Lack of light is a big problem – people don’t realize how much living in the dark affects mood. To lack it during the short winter days when it gets dark early is very hard,” says the young man.
The electricity consumption of Volodymyr Agafonkin, a resident of kyiv.
© / Sonar infographic 3729 ukraine power cut blackout
“Sometimes the Ukrainian technicians voluntarily cut the power to stabilize the network. They do it in three or four hour increments. […] Often there are no cuts at night because the network is less busy. We take the opportunity to recharge our devices or cook dishes in the oven,” he continues.
The electricity consumption of Volodymyr Agafonkin, a resident of kyiv.
© / Sonar infographic 3729 ukraine power cut blackout
“After the massive strikes on November 24 and 25, we had two whole days without electricity. It was difficult, not so much because of the blackout itself but because of the uncertainty. It was not known when the current would have returned.”
“My daughters’ school continues to provide lessons, thanks to a generator. It is rather the recurring alerts of air raids that disrupt school life.”
The electricity consumption of Volodymyr Agafonkin, a resident of kyiv.
© / Sonar infographic 3729 ukraine power cut blackout
“When I have to leave my house, I also use a flashlight – it is very dark when there is no street lighting. We adapt our lives to the situation. We have an inverter, a gas stove, and we put on lots of sweaters! To keep myself busy, I do things I can do offline, read books, and exercise more.”