Over the past winter months, Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy and heating infrastructure have had direct and severe human consequences. By cutting electricity, heat, and water in freezing conditions, civilians living in urban areas such as the capital city Kyiv have faced life-threatening exposure, particularly the elderly, children, and people living with disabilities.

Hospitals and health facilities are also heavily impacted. Many have had to rely on generators, while disruptions to water systems and sanitation have increased health risks for patients. Large numbers of people have been seeking warmth and basic services, while those struggling to move endured rolling blackouts, limited access to food storage and other issues impacting their daily living conditions and dignity.

As attacks continue into spring and ahead of summer, the humanitarian impact is shifting from acute cold-related survival to chronic instability and exhaustion.

Repeated damage due to drone and missile strikes prevent the full recovery of essential services, prolonging uncertainty, psychological strain, and degrading people’s living conditions as power, water, and shelter can again be suddenly disrupted.

Since January 2026, MSF teams are conducting emergency activities in several villages and cities affected by these disruptions in essential services, including in the capital city of Kyiv, one of the most impacted urban areas.

As Summer approaches, MSF teams continue to respond to the energy crisis in Ukraine, supporting medical and social facilities with charging stations and inverters designed to help ensure an uninterrupted power supply during prolonged power cuts.