Ukraine Struggling with Rolling Blackouts as Winter Approaches, Russia Continues Drone and Air Attacks
While world leaders sit together and muse over how to solve the problem of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, those still left in that country who aren’t military are trying to figure out how they’re going to survive the coming winter in the dark with unheated homes. Russia’s nearly continuous drone attacks and air strikes are causing increasing damage to Ukraine’s power grid.
Rolling Blackouts for Entire Winter Threaten Survival
It’s anticipated that Ukraine will experience regular rolling power outages throughout the winter as attacks continue. On the rare occasions when the power does kick on, there are also frequent and harsh usage limits, Ukrenergo head Vitaliy Zaichenko told the Kyiv Post in an interview.
Repair teams work “around the clock” to try to keep the power on and to prevent Russia from splitting the grid in half geographically, which would basically shut the system down. There are other steps that are being taken to try to reinforce the system so that energy imports from the EU can be received and used. However, the damage to Ukraine’s grid often hinders complete use of what they receive.
As of October, only one region was unaffected by Russian attacks on Ukraine’s grid: eastern Donetsk region. Even the Chrnihiv region to the north has at least hourly outages, according to the BBC.
Christian Organizations Providing Assistance to Ukraine
“This winter stands to be one of the most brutal experiences they’ve gone through,” Eric Mock, senior vice president of ministry operations at Slavic Gospel Association (SGA), a faith-based mission to Ukraine and the former Soviet Union told the Christian News Wire.
Mock has organized an effort he has dubbed “Heat and Hope” which provides firewood, coal, blankets, and warm clothes to families in Ukraine. Most families don’t have the money to buy these items for themselves. The organization is also providing generators to evangelical churches in Ukraine that have been functioning as community warming centers.
One pastor of three churches who received a generator hitches the generator to a trailer and takes it with him to each church when he is at each one.
“I will not only provide power to my church, there are two other villages where I pastor. Wherever I go, there is heat and hope,” he told SGA.
“Even in the coldest conditions, people come to church bundled up in thick coats and blankets to sing and pray together,” said Mock. “They thank God they’re alive.”
A few other organizations, of many, that are reaching out to Ukraine and offering help include Cru, Mission Eurasia, and FaithFi.
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Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Sandsun
Originally published December 08, 2025.
