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, who has lived in Chernihiv for years, describes the situation as increasingly dire. ‘We’ve been through tough times before, but this winter feels different,’ she says. ‘The cold is coming, and we’re not sure if we’ll have enough heating.’
The city’s power grid remains unstable, with generators providing intermittent electricity. Residents have taken to using candles and other makeshift lighting solutions to cope with the frequent power outages. Some have even resorted to storing coal and other fuels in their homes to prepare for the coming winter.
Local authorities have been working tirelessly to provide aid and support to the city’s residents. They have set up emergency heating centers and distributed supplies to vulnerable populations. However, with the ongoing conflict, resources remain limited, and many fear that the city may not be able to withstand the severe winter conditions.