Russia has been taking advantage of Ukraine’s harshest winter in years to strengthen energy infrastructure across the country.
Repeated strikes have disrupted power supplies to major Ukrainian cities, leaving millions without heat or light as temperatures hovered around minus 15 degrees Celsius (5 F) for three straight weeks.
Electrical companies carry out repairs around the clock. The work is only canceled at night when Russian drones and missiles damage the power plant again.
In Kiev, people were initially able to protect themselves from the cold by using electric heaters or wearing warm clothing. But the freezing temperatures have persisted for weeks now and there is no end in sight.
Even if power is restored, supply will only last a few hours. This is enough to charge household appliances, but not enough to actually warm increasingly habitable homes.
The BBC’s Abdujalil Abdurasulov visits the apartments of Kiev residents to find out what life is like in places without heat and electricity.
Camera: Matthew Goddard, Producer: Paul Fradie
