Themes by tag: blackout

In the face of relentless Russian shelling that plunged Kharkiv into darkness, the Korniienko family’s bakery just months after launching their venture in January. Forced to flee to Valky in Kharkiv region, a town 50 kilometers away, now, every day, they make the arduous commute back to Kharkiv, braving the risks of war either by bus or hitchhiking.

Initially specializing in sourdough bread, baguettes, and kid-friendly marshmallows, the Korniienkos quickly adapted to meet surging demand amid the chaos of war. Within three months, their customer base doubled, prompting them to expand their menu with over 10 new bread varieties, constantly innovating to keep up with demand.

Yet, operating in a city under siege comes with its challenges. With power outages a daily occurrence, the family relies on an electric generator to keep their ovens running. Initially funded by grants, they now seek additional support to purchase a smaller oven that can run off the generator.

• blackout
• Kharkiv

Before the full-scale invasion, Daniel Bodu worked as a state auditor in Mykolaiv city in the south of Ukraine. He drew up energy performance certificates for buildings. After the russian invasion on February 24, 2022, Daniel Bodu almost lost his job, because energy efficiency was no longer a top priority for the front-line city, which was suffering from constant russian shelling. Daniel began to look for a new direction to apply his knowledge.

At first, he helped his friends working on production of power stations. In the winter of 2022, when russia began large-scale shelling of the energy infrastructure of Ukraine and everyone needed batteries and power banks, he decided to start his own production. Daniel received funding from a state grant, with which he bought equipment and materials. Then he started 3D printing power banks and power stations. He also hired two specialists and together with them developed several long-lasting power stations. Daniel donates his products to the Ukrainian military free of charge. Civilians can also buy his products.

• blackout
• Mykolaiv

A ‘point of invincibility’ has opened in St. Andrew’s Church in Kyiv. The Kyiv City Military Administration reports that the Point of Invincibility can accommodate several dozen people. It has Internet connection, is equipped with a powerful generator, industrial electric fan heater, medical supplies, hot drinks, and a small library. In addition, any visitor can receive spiritual support, namely, a talk to a priest.

For reference: St. Andrew’s Church is an 18th-century historical architectural monument of decorative art of world significance built in 1747-1762 in the Baroque style by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli.

• blackout
• religion
• Kyiv

The team of “Zemliachky” (Countrywomen) NGO is working on an animated series about life in occupied Mariupol based on the diary of a local resident named Natalia. The series is called “Mariupol. Military Chronicles of a Civilian.” The last episode was supposed to be released on February 24, the anniversary of the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, however, the process was significantly slowed down due to blackouts.

For reference: “Zemliachky” project was created by a TV presenter and journalist Ksenia Drahanyuk to tell the world about incredible Ukrainian women. After russia’s full-scale invasion, the project turned into an NGO with a volunteer headquarters that helps Ukrainian military women.

• blackout
• Kyiv

Employees of one of the beauty salons in Lviv region were providing hairdressing services, when the power went out. However, they figured that they could finish their work at an Invincibility Center. (There is even a video of how they serve a client who came to have her hair dyed).

The owner of the salon, Anna, says that the rescuers at the Invincibility Center were good to the guests: they treated them to tasty food and tea. She adds that in case of a force majeure with the power supply, she will have to come back to the tent set up by the State Emergency Service.

By the way, this beauty salon holds volunteer “Kindness Days.” Among other things, hairdressing services are provided free of charge to internally displaced persons. And in February, they plan to organize the same for the military.

For reference: Invincibility Centers are places set up during the war where people can stay warm, get access to water, electricity, internet, etc.

• blackout
• volunteers
• Lviv

The first gas turbine power plant in Ukraine started working in Irpin. If necessary, it will generate electricity for the city’s critical infrastructure facilities. The power plant generates energy using natural gas, and this significantly reduces the cost per kilowatt, compared to the fuel needed for generators. Ukraine plans to create a network of such small power plants. They will reduce the load on the power grid, which russia is trying to destroy.

• blackout
• reconstruction
• Kyiv

Ukraine’s oldest botanical garden in Kharkiv has a collection of several thousand tropical plants. Due to russian missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, it now suffers from constant power outages. To keep tropical and subtropical plants from freezing, workers have to turn on the generator and heat the greenhouses.

For reference: The Botanical Garden of Karazin National University of Kharkiv is a part of Kharkiv’s nature reserve fund of national significance. The botanical garden is a research and environmental protection institution. It was founded in 1804.

As reported, at the beginning of winter it became known that Hryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv was taking precautions to save unique plants. Employees were stockpiling firewood to heat the greenhouses. 

• blackout
• ecology
• Kharkiv

In Bucha, Kyiv region, a “yurt of invincibility” was opened.

This happened, in particular, with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ukraine. During a blackout, local residents will be able to warm up and charge their gadgets in this yurt.

• blackout
• Kyiv

The Charity Foundation “Solomianski Kotyky” sets up its “invincibility points” in Kyiv city schools. They will be called “Teplytsi” (greenhouses). In general, they plan to create 10 points.

The Foundation has already opened a pilot “Teplytsi” project at School No. 229. It was visited by 3,500 people during the first month of operation. And on December 20 alone, more than 500 Kyiv residents found a shelter and a place to work there. The “Teplytsi” point also became a shelter for the tailed ones — 13 dogs visited it for a month.

Another one “Teplytsi” point was set up in the Ministry of Social Policy. Both locations are equipped with a generator and Starlink, an organized coffee break zone, a place for board games, work and volunteering.

• blackout
• volunteers
• Kyiv

The well-known supermarket chain has set up a car co-working space in one of its parking lots in Kyiv city. Drivers and passengers can work in their vehicles if, for example, they have power cuts at home or at work and there is no communication. The car co-working space is equipped with Starlink terminals, for stable Internet connection. And if people get hungry, couriers can deliver food from the store directly to the passenger compartment.

In addition, supermarkets of the chain are equipped with autonomous power supply. So in case of power cuts, people come there to charge their gadgets, study, or work.

• blackout
• Kyiv