In brief
With Russian strikes tightening around Kyiv, city dwellers are packing up for the coming cold. Olena Konoplia spent weeks hunting a safe spot and finally settled on a cottage two hours from the capital, away from factories, warehouses and railway lines. The target of power‑grid attacks, the region will face prolonged sub‑zero temperatures. Ukrainians are moving to quieter villages to keep warm and out of harm’s way, a trend that highlights how the war redefines everyday life.
Kyiv residents swap city life for the countryside ahead of winter
Russian bombardment has electrified the power grid in cities, leaving many in Kyiv without heat or reliable electricity. As temperatures fall, locals face the grim prospect of living in near‑freezing conditions without power.
Olena Konoplia, a Kyiv resident, spent days searching for a safe place and chose a quiet cottage in a rural community two hours away. “I wanted a village with no factories, no warehouses and no railway stations,” she said, highlighting how she prioritises safety over convenience.
The move reflects a broader trend of city dwellers retreating to the countryside as the war continues to disrupt city life. Farmers and small towns remain comparatively protected from the worst of the attacks.
Moreover, the power grid attacks mean that even when electricity arrives, it can be unreliable. For many, staying in a town where the supply is less targeted could mean the difference between a safe, warm winter and a precarious one.
