It's not the electricity cuts that Yulia Hailunas struggles with most after the Russian airstrikes. It's the fact that it's so bitterly cold inside her own home. Like so many Ukrainians, she's had no central heating since Russia launched a wave of targeted attacks on the power grid in January. So Yulia now lives in a long, quilted coat and hat in her flat, and rests her feet on a saucepan-full of hot water to keep them from freezing. If that's not enough, she lifts weights for 10 minutes to get warm. When the weather outside is above zero, it's just about bearable. But later this weekend, the temperature in Dnipro is forecast to plunge below -20C. In Kyiv and elsewhere, it could be colder still. 'That's what's really scary, because all the heating pipes will burst and we won't be able to repair them again. It will be a catastrophe,' Yulia worries. On Thursday, Donald Trump announced that Vladimir Putin had agreed to halt attacks on Ukraine's major cities during the 'horrendously cold' snap, supposedly for a week. The US president called it 'very nice' of his Russian counterpart to agree to an energy truce. However, details were sparse and the Kremlin later clarified that Putin's burst of goodwill expires on Sunday, just as the coldest weather bites. Ukrainians find it hard to trust such declarations, especially since another round of negotiations is scheduled soon but major disagreements persist. For many, including Yulia, the fear that the worst may still lie ahead is palpable.
Ukrainians Face Brutal Cold as Energy Crisis Deepens

Ukrainians Face Brutal Cold as Energy Crisis Deepens
As temperatures drop to -20C, Ukrainians are forced to adapt to harsh conditions without central heating, following extensive strikes on the power grid. Yulia, a resident of Dnipro, voices her concerns over the impending cold and its catastrophic consequences.
With expected temperatures plunging below -20C, many Ukrainians, including Yulia in Dnipro, are struggling to cope without central heating due to extensive damage to the energy infrastructure from Russian airstrikes. Despite a temporary truce in hostilities announced by Donald Trump, many remain skeptical about Russia's commitment to a pause in aggression, leading to fears of further catastrophe as winter deepens.

















