Kyiv braces itself for potentially toughest winter of the conflict

Wartime Kyiv after sunset now means dark streets and passing silhouettes, with the only light from the occasional faint glow of luminous dog collars.

- 

Customers and staff at a restaurant during a power outage in Kyiv on Nov 21. Russia has relentlessly attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure since invading in 2022, but is now raining down record numbers of missiles and drones. PHOTO: AFP

(AFP)

As Ukraine reels from being presented with a US plan that would force it to capitulate in exchange for peace, the capital’s residents are bracing themselves for what could be the toughest winter yet of the war.

Russia has relentlessly attacked Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since invading in 2022, but is now raining down record numbers of missiles and drones. Those whose strategies in previous years may have been to grin and bear it are taking extra precautions.

The light from Mr Dmytro Kustov’s dance studio was flooding the street.

Inside, it was warm, and pop music blared from electric speakers.

Pointing to a humming closet concealing a web of cables, a generator and power inverter, he told AFP: “As soon as the last blackout started, I snapped and decided that all this needed to be set up.”

Without it, the power would go out twice a day for four hours each time.

“It’s very important for people to have warmth now, it’s important for people to have some hope,” said Mr Kustov, 29.