Kyiv Faces Winter Hardship as Russian Strikes Knock Out Heating

Wed Jan 21 2026 04:42:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amid subzero temperatures, a Russian missile attack has left half of Kyiv without heating, forcing many to seek refuge in metro stations.

Following a large-scale Russian aerial attack, around 5,600 residences in Kyiv have lost heating as temperatures drop to -10C. President Zelensky reported significant costs in air defense, while residents faced dire conditions. Over 10,000 people sought shelter in metro stations as the city copes with ongoing strikes and extended power cuts.

A large Russian aerial strike on Ukraine has again left half of Kyiv's residential buildings without heating or power as temperatures across the country continue to hover around -10C.

Drones, ballistic and cruise missiles targeted several locations in Ukraine, including Kyiv, Dnipro in the centre and Odesa in the south.

Air raid alerts in the capital lasted for most of the night. On Tuesday, sirens rang out again as Russian drones and cruise missiles approached the capital.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said a significant number of targets had been intercepted. But he also said that, in terms of air defense missile prices alone, repelling that attack had cost Ukraine about €80m (£69m).

Between Monday and Tuesday, at least four people died and 33 others were injured in strikes across Ukraine.

On Tuesday morning, more than 5,600 residential buildings – each with dozens of flats – in Kyiv woke up to no heating. A large part of the capital also has no water.

Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said almost 80% of those buildings had just had their heating restored following the large-scale attack on 9 January, which knocked out power for much of the city. Since then, relentless efforts by technicians had managed to reinstate electricity and gas for thousands - only for that work to be undone overnight.

I have no electricity and no water, Oleksandr Palii, a 29-year-old veteran, told the BBC. I didn't sleep until 3am because of the strikes either – there were explosions all night.

The Ukrainian president had been due to travel to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday but, in the wake of the overnight strikes, he said he had decided to stay in Kyiv.

Temperatures have stayed well below freezing since the start of the year. Ukrainian media has reported instances of radiators bursting due to the water in them freezing, leading to flooding in entire buildings. There have also been reports of fires starting due to people using gas heaters indoors.

As the power cuts continue, Kyiv residents are finding innovative solutions to carry on living. Many now use portable stoves to cook, and entire buildings chip in to buy generators. But much depends on individual financial capacities.

In recent days, videos have circulated on social media showing Ukrainians barbecuing in snowy yards and dancing to keep warm in the face of continued power cuts and freezing temperatures. But many say this is the worst winter since the start of the full-scale war in 2022, and with no end to hostilities in sight, nerves are frayed.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed that the resilience of the Ukrainian people should not be used as a justification for the ongoing conflict.

On Monday night, over 10,000 individuals, including nearly 800 children, took refuge in metro stations due to the relentless attacks. With many high-rises lacking adequate shelter, the metro remains their safe haven against air strikes.

President Zelensky affirmed the support from allies for air defense systems and emphasized that the need for additional missile supplies remains critical.