War and winter have brought new misery to Kyiv after a long summer lull. But if Russian President Vladimir Putin’s goal is to demoralize the population to the point of accepting compromises with Russia, he isn’t succeeding.
KYIV, Ukraine — War and winter have brought new misery to Kyiv after a long summer lull. Russia’s missile campaign to destroy Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has revived fears that had abated after Ukrainian forces drove Russian troops away from the capital in the spring.
“Emotionally it’s very challenging when you are at home with no electricity and you can hear the air raid sirens,” said drama student Anastacia Osmolovska, 20. “It’s like being in a deep black hole.” For some, however, the attacks are an ongoing source of anxiety. Liliia Bolbat’s twin teenage daughters were traumatized by a rocket strike on their apartment building in the eastern city of Mariupol during the 2014-2015 conflict. They live in Kyiv now, and the recent attacks have revived distressing memories.
“How could we possibly negotiate with them when they destroyed our native city?” Anhelina, one of the twins, said, referring to the badly bombed and now Russian-occupied city of Mariupol, where they were born.Powering through But Kyiv is adapting, too. Stores report a rush on power banks, cooking gas cylinders, torches and thermal underwear. Cafes twinkle with fairy lights and serve pre-prepared thermos flasks of coffee during the dark hours when the espresso machines won’t work.
“We have to find the bright side of life because every day we watch the war on TV, and this is a way to remember we are still alive, that each day could be our last,” said Olia Antypiuk, 23, who attended a Vivaldi concert in November. The compère was on leave from the front lines, the event was lit by battery-operated candles in case of a blackout, and the lead violinist was pitch perfect.
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