Ukrainians are facing rolling blackouts as snowy dark winter weather approaches. Russian airstrikes causing “colossal” damage to the power grid are leaving people at risk. At the nine-month mark of the war, Ukraine officials are urging everyone to stock up on supplies. And to evacuate areas that have been the hardest hit.

Since November 15th the situation in Kyiv and other major cities continues to deteriorate after the massive Russian missile attack on the country’s power grid.

The CEO of DTEK Yasna, Sergey Kovalenko, said the private energy company is under instructions from Ukraine’s state grid operator to resume emergency blackouts in the areas it covers. This includes the capital city, Kyiv, and the eastern border region of Dnipropetrovsk.

“Although there are fewer blackouts now, I want everyone to understand: Most likely, Ukrainians will have to live with blackouts until at least the end of March,” Kovalenko warned on Facebook.

“We need to be prepared for different options, even the worst ones. Stock up on warm clothes and blankets. Think about what will help you wait out a long shutdown,” he told Ukrainian residents.

 State-owned Ukrainian grid operator Ukrenergo reports that 40% of Ukrainians were experiencing difficulties. And at least 15 major energy hubs have been severely damaged across Ukraine.

Ukrenergo added that “thousands of kilometers of key high-voltage lines are not working.” 

The Russians have launched six air attacks against Ukraine’s power grid and other infrastructure from October 10th to November 15th. With the last attack over one hundred missiles were launched at the embattled country.

 The targeted bombings were intended to deprive millions of Ukrainians of electricity, heat, and water.

Ukraine prepares for cold dark winter

In a video speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that massive Russian missile strikes are responsible for the destruction of nearly half of Ukraine’s energy facilities. And that Russia is trying “to turn the cold of winter into a weapon of mass destruction.” 

Temperatures in Ukraine usually stay below freezing in the wintertime. And snow is already beginning to fall in many regions. Kyiv is already snow-covered. 

The destruction of power grids in some areas has increased fear that it will be difficult to survive the cold dark winter. And the Ukraine military is evacuating civilians from recently liberated parts of southern Kherson and the Mykolaiv regions. 

Zelensky also announced the establishment of “Points of Invincibility” (POI).

In Kyiv, a city of 3 million people the “heat points” may be a difference between life and death.

The 528 POIs are places where people are gathered for electricity, mobile communications, internet access, heat, water, and first aid. They will be powered by autonomous power sources, along with special boiler rooms.

Ukrainian authorities continue evacuating civilians from recently liberated sections of the southern Kherson and Mykolaiv regions out of fear the winter will be too hard to survive.