Ukraine Faces Deadly Winter Amid Energy Shortages

Families in Ukraine are bracing for a fourth winter amid full-scale war.

Millions of Ukrainians are bracing for a fourth winter under fire, with severe cold and energy shortages compounding the hardship caused by Russia’s invasion.

Since the full-scale assault began in 2022, widespread destruction of infrastructure has left hundreds of thousands in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

“Children and families already facing extreme daily stress are now forced to endure yet another winter during wartime,” said Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s winters can plunge to -20°C (-4°F), and with heating systems damaged or destroyed, conditions are increasingly dangerous for children. Frontline regions in the north and east — including Chernihivska, Dnipropetrovska, Donetska, Kharkivska, and Sumska — are among the worst affected.

Nearly half of families depend on centralised water and heating, yet since 2022, local systems have sustained almost $2.5 billion in damage, according to UNICEF. Poverty has risen sharply, with more than one-third of the population now affected, and around 70 per cent of children living in poverty.

UNICEF warns that rising poverty combined with harsh winters heightens risks to children’s health, with one in five families reporting illnesses linked to cold homes.

To respond, UNICEF has launched a 2025–26 winter support plan, focusing on cash assistance, heating repairs, and support for schools. Key measures include:

Cash aid for 272,000 people, including 122,000 children.

Grants to 600 schools supporting 250,000 students.

Equipment and emergency repairs to district heating systems, aiming to protect one million people.

However, challenges persist, including limited funding, destroyed infrastructure, and restricted access to conflict zones. UNICEF is seeking $65 million to assist over one million people, as part of the UN’s broader $277.7 million winter response plan.