Parts of Kyiv are still without power after deadly Russian missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector during the coldest period of the year, with temperatures reaching a high of -5 degrees Celsius during the day and a low of -10 at night.
Among the hardest hit areas of the capital are the residential districts on the left bank of the Dnipro river. Constructed in a centralized manner in the 1980s-1990s, residential buildings here depend on large Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants – making central heating cheap and easy to build. Troieshchyna – a district of roughly 300,000 people – is one of them.
The architecture of Troieschyna (Photo by Sergii Kostezh/Kyiv Post)
Central heating disappeared with the destruction of CHP-6, one of the capital’s largest combined heat and power plants, in a Russian missile attack. Utility services say it may not be restored this winter. In total, according to city and central authorities at the time of writing, more than 1,600 high-rise buildings are without power in the capital alone – buildings which may be home to as many as 800,000 people.
The streets of Troieschyna (Photo by Sergii Kostezh/Kyiv Post)
In some of them, the temperature drops to -12 degrees Celsius, making life impossible. Most of them are panel buildings and cool down very quickly. To support people, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine has built a large tent camp where people can warm up.
Troieschyna tent camp (Photo by Sergii Kostezh/Kyiv Post)
Several of these tent camps are operating in Troieshchyna, one of which we visited.
Troieschyna tent camp (Photo by Sergii Kostezh/Kyiv Post)
It consists of six large tents connected to autonomous electricity and heat supply.
Troieschyna tent camp (Photo by Sergii Kostezh/Kyiv Post)
Inside, the temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius.
Troieschyna tent camp inside (Photo by Sergii Kostezh/Kyiv Post)
Police officers and National Academy of Interior students provide security.
Troieschyna tent camp police squad (Photo by Sergii Kostezh/Kyiv Post)
People are not just here to warm up. They meet with neighbors, talk, charge gadgets, and some even work remotely.
Troieschyna tent camp inside (Photo by Sergii Kostezh/Kyiv Post)
Visitors can drink tea and eat.
Troieschyna tent camp inside (Photo by Sergii Kostezh/Kyiv Post)
There is even a children’s corner.
Troieschyna tent camp inside (Photo by Sergii Kostezh/Kyiv Post)
And for those who want hot food, there is a field kitchen.
Troieschyna tent camp’s kitchen point (Photo by Sergii Kostezh/Kyiv Post)
Only women with children are allowed to stay overnight in the camp. For others, it operates as a place to warm up. Hundreds of people visit it every day.
Troieschyna tent camp inside (Photo by Sergii Kostezh/Kyiv Post)
The main question is how quickly it will be possible to restore heating. Strikes on CHP plants in cities do not affect the defense industry or the situation at the front in any way, and therefore Russia’s intentions raise no doubts among most Kyiv residents.
Their main task is to hold on until warmer days.