Ukrainians are battling a record heatwave as residents also grapple with rolling blackouts from Russia's continued attacks on the country's energy system. The combination is creating a nightmare for the wider economy and everyday life.

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukrainians are facing a severe heatwave while struggling with rolling blackouts caused by ongoing Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure. Residents like Margarita Zakharchuk have to climb stairs to their apartments and manage without air conditioning or refrigerators. Food storage has become problematic, with items like curd snacks spoiling quickly, forcing people to purchase only what they can consume immediately.

Regular Russian airstrikes have extensively damaged Ukraine's energy system, resulting in frequent, lengthy power cuts. The Central Geophysical Observatory has reported record-high temperatures in Kyiv. Amidst this heatwave, conditions have further deteriorated for those relying on air conditioning, causing people to seek relief through minimal means like showers and outdoor parks.

Store owners are also feeling the strain, facing increased operational costs due to the need for generators and losses from spoiled dairy products. Blackouts lasting six to eight hours create ongoing difficulties for keeping perishables like milk and butter in stock. The broader regional economy is impacted as well, with state weather forecasters predicting up to a 30 percent decline in the harvest of late crops.

The Energy Minister has called on consumers to conserve energy and reduce the use of powerful electrical appliances to help maintain the stability of the grid.



Scorching heat compounds Ukraine's power crisis

By torchlight, Ukrainian mother Margarita Zakharchuk carries her child up to her 12th floor apartment. The lift is out due to a blackout. She is one of millions of Ukrainians struggling amid a record heatwave, compounded by regular power cuts making air conditioning units and refrigerators useless. The first thing that has changed is that we don't cook much anymore. Secondly, we cannot store products in the fridge for a long time. For example, curd snacks for children spoil quickly. On the second or third day, they are not edible anymore. That's why we only buy food that we can eat today or tomorrow. Regular Russian airstrikes have ravaged the country's energy system, leading to hours-long rolling blackouts. The Central Geophysical Observatory said on Tuesday it had clocked a record-high 93.5 degrees Fahrenheit in Kyiv for July 15. Temperatures on Tuesday were expected to reach even higher. During the heatwave, we cannot use the air conditioner. We are trying to survive using the shower. We bathe children in the water or we try to be outside in the park if we can. Store owners like Victoria battle increased costs from running generators and product losses. We suffer a lot. Blackouts last for six to eight hours during the day and it's a problem for dairy and ice cream. We don't order a lot of milk or butter because it spoils. We have to return products. The region's broader economy is also struggling in the heat. State weather forecasters say the harvest of late crops could decline by up to 30 percent in central, southern and eastern regions. The Energy Minister has urged consumers to conserve energy and minimise the use of powerful electrical appliances to preserve the grid.

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Ukraine Invasion