KIEV, Ukraine — Four years into the Russian invasion, numerous residents in the city are coping without hot water, heat, or electricity.
As they lined up for soup to fend off winter’s chill, many expressed a willingness to endure the cold rather than bow to the demands of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Even if they try to force us to give in, we won’t, because we need to be respected,” said 48-year-old Olha Sukhobok.
Many in Kiev have endured months without heat or power after Putin directed military strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, aiming to break Ukrainian morale.
However, these aggressive measures seem to be having the opposite effect. The ongoing brutality has actually bolstered public resistance against what many perceive as ineffective compromises that ultimately appease Russia’s aggression, according to various residents interviewed.
“Russia’s objective is to inflict suffering, invoke panic, and possibly compel people to either flee or accept unfavorable terms. This is their strategy,” Sukhobok explained while receiving a warm stew from a World Central Kitchen volunteer. “It’s a psychological pressure tactic.”
The relentless attacks on civilians are galvanizing resistance within Ukraine—a point that military experts say demonstrates how poorly such tactics work in terms of winning over the population.
“History shows that bombing civilians generally strengthens their resolve rather than forcing them to surrender,” commented George Barros from the Institute for the Study of War. He noted that strategic bombing has a poor track record in persuading targeted audiences to capitulate.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned that the ongoing conflict poses significant worries, emphasizing the complexity of the situation as both nations engage in heated disputes over territory. He lamented, “While people talk about dignity, how meaningful is that when so many lives are lost?”
Survivors of the war are feeling the weight of it all. Many are grateful to political figures who have attempted to avert attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid.
Tetyana Zamuri, 35, conveyed an understanding of why some Americans think ceding a portion of Donbas might resolve the conflict, but she cautioned that it would mean abandoning many Ukrainians living there. “I get it; many of us want the war to end quickly, but this isn’t just about territory,” she stated.
Zamuri, originally from Donetsk, a region now controlled by Russia, has adapted to life during the turmoil. “Some days are particularly tough as the war continues to unfold. The nights can feel endless, yet each morning brings a new day,” she observed.
Long after the full-scale invasion began, she and many others have come to accept that this war might not have an end in sight. They are living a “new normal,” similar to how people adapted during the global pandemic.
“I’ve picked up a trick,” Zamuri shared. “When the power’s out, I light a candle and pile on extra layers.”
Residents of Kiev are also finding ways to deal with the cold, like utilizing insulated tents supplied by the city. Inside these tents, families can warm themselves while kids enjoy books and games.
As of early January, Zamuri and her neighbors have been without hot water, and repairs may not happen until summer. They’ve resorted to boiling water on a gas stove for baths, pouring it over themselves.
For some, there seems to be no concern from Putin about winning the population’s loyalty; they believe his intentions lie more in undermining Ukraine rather than uniting them with Russia.
He insists the objective is to obliterate the Ukrainian state. “This is an attack on our identity and existence,” he said.
Since the war escalated on February 24, 2022, around 15,000 civilians have died, with some reportedly freezing without adequate shelter.
When asked whether Putin’s energy strategy could actually succeed, Anatoly firmly replied, “No.” He noted Russia expected swift action, but instead, four years have passed, and Ukrainians are still fighting. “We face challenges, but we stand united,” he concluded.
