Ukrainians Brace for -20C Despite Energy Truce: ‘It Will Be a Catastrophe’
As temperatures plummet, Ukrainians are preparing to face a bitter cold snap, expecting temperatures to dip to -20C. This comes amid what has been dubbed an energy truce between Ukraine and Russia, leading many to question the viability of this ceasefire.
– Yulia Hailunas, a resident of Dnipro, illustrates the harsh reality faced by many. Since the Russian airstrikes targeted the power grid in January, she has been without central heating. To cope, she wears a thick quilted coat and hat indoors, often sitting with her feet in a pan of hot water to stave off the cold. On days when temperatures rise just above freezing, it’s barely manageable, but with forecasts predicting even harsher conditions, anxiety mounts.
– What’s truly frightening, Yulia shares, is the fear of heating pipes bursting when it gets this cold. We won’t be able to repair them, and it will be a catastrophe.
The recent announcement from Donald Trump revealed that Vladimir Putin had agreed to a tentative halt in strikes on major Ukrainian cities during the coming week of severe cold, a move described by Trump as very nice. However, the specifics of this truce remain unclear, and the Kremlin later clarified that the pause expires just as temperatures hit their lowest.
– Historically, there has usually been a gap of a week or more between intense aerial attacks, making it uncertain whether the supposed energy truce will have any real impact. Since January 24, when widespread blackouts crippled power and heating in Kyiv, many remain skeptical. It has been quieter for a bit, but I’m not sure if that’s linked, Yulia notes, stressing that the threat of renewed attacks looms large.
The ongoing targeting of Ukraine’s energy grid is not just a humanitarian issue but a violation of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits attacks on infrastructure that cause disproportionate civilian harm. With each winter that passes, the grid grows increasingly fragile, making repairs more challenging.
– Engineers from various sectors, including Ukraine’s national rail company, are working tirelessly to restore electricity and repair heating infrastructure. An extended pause in Russian attacks on the energy sector would be welcomed, but trust is in short supply among Ukrainians.
Tragically, the violence continues unabated in other regions. On Friday, shelling in Kherson killed one person and injured several others, while air raid warnings for drones echoed throughout the east.
– In Pavlohrad, families who have fled their homes are in disarray, waiting to register at shelters. Kateryna, who left her village with her two young children, described the emotional toll of abandoning her home. “It’s like abandoning a piece of yourself,” she said, her voice trembling.
These families are facing the dire consequences of the conflict, often forced to flee with little more than the clothes on their backs. Kateryna’s mother, Iryna, recounted the intensity of the fighting, detailing a day when 50 drones flew overhead.
Against this backdrop, Trump views the energy truce as a means of easing tensions in pursuit of peace talks. Ukraine, in a gesture of goodwill, has suspended its strikes on Russian oil refineries, despite the critical funding they provide to Russia’s war efforts.
– Upcoming negotiations are slated to take place in the United Arab Emirates, although the absence of senior US delegates raises concerns about the potential for meaningful dialogue. Ukrainian officials have indicated only one major disagreement remains; however, skepticism from both sides runs deep.
“How can we trust Russia not to stab us in the back?” Iryna reflects, articulating a sentiment shared by many as they confront the ongoing turmoil of war.
As temperatures drop and the humanitarian crisis deepens, Ukrainians remain resilient, united in their determination to withstand the challenges ahead. The next days and weeks will certainly test their resolve and the fragile truce that has been promised.