Kyiv residents swap city life for the countryside ahead of winter
Russian bombardment has electrified the power grid in cities, leaving many in Kyiv without heat or reliable electricity. As temperatures fall, locals face the grim prospect of living in near‑freezing conditions without power.
Olena Konoplia, a Kyiv resident, spent days searching for a safe place and chose a quiet cottage in a rural community two hours away. “I wanted a village with no factories, no warehouses and no railway stations,” she said, highlighting how she prioritises safety over convenience.
The move reflects a broader trend of city dwellers retreating to the countryside as the war continues to disrupt city life. Farmers and small towns remain comparatively protected from the worst of the attacks.
Moreover, the power grid attacks mean that even when electricity arrives, it can be unreliable. For many, staying in a town where the supply is less targeted could mean the difference between a safe, warm winter and a precarious one.
