As evening settles over Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, the city plunges into darkness, broken only by the noise of generators. Their constant hum is now so common that it sometimes obscures even the sound of Russian drones moving across the night sky.
Nataliia Svyrydenko, a resident of Chernihiv, described the situation as dire. ‘We are doing our best to keep the lights on, but the generators are running non-stop. We can’t even afford to heat our homes properly,’ she said. The city’s energy grid has been severely damaged by repeated strikes, forcing residents to rely on makeshift power solutions.
With the winter season approaching, the situation is expected to worsen. The lack of heating and adequate food supplies has led to growing concerns about the health and safety of the population. Local authorities are working tirelessly to distribute supplies and repair damaged infrastructure, but resources are running low.
The city’s leadership has warned that without immediate international support, the situation could spiral out of control. ‘We are at our breaking point,’ said Mayor Andriy Koval. ‘Everyday is a battle for survival, and we need more help now than ever before.’ The ongoing conflict has placed an unprecedented strain on the city’s resources, and the winter months could bring a new wave of challenges.