Tents pitched indoors for warmth and makeshift radiators: Ukrainians are freezing to death | Janine di Giovanni

[Wild Wolf]

The darkness of war has descended upon Ukraine once again, but this time it's not just the absence of light that's crippling its people. It's the deliberate turning on of winter itself - a human-made catastrophe that's freezing lives to death.

In a desperate bid for survival, Ukrainians are pitching tents in their homes, using makeshift radiators and heating bricks to warm up in the midst of a brutal siege. The energy infrastructure, once taken for granted, has been deliberately targeted by Russia's military campaigns, leaving millions without power or heat.

According to official estimates, the damage to Ukraine's energy grid over the past three months could cost over $1 billion to repair. But the true cost is much higher - in lives lost, dignity broken, and hope dwindling. As temperatures plummet to record lows, families are forced to endure a life of perpetual twilight, their homes reduced to makeshift oases of warmth amidst an icy expanse.

In Kyiv alone, over 6,000 residential buildings have been left without heating, leaving residents to brave the biting cold in thermal clothes and sleeping bags. The streets have become a scene from a war movie - children huddled together for warmth, their breath visible in the chill air. It's not just the human toll that's staggering, but the sheer audacity of Russia's tactics.

This is no ordinary winter - it's death by cold, a grim echo of the Holodomor famine that Stalin unleashed on Ukraine decades ago. The echoes of that atrocity are all too familiar, and yet we failed to learn from history's lessons. We must not fail again.

As I write these words, the sounds of defiance fill the air - makeshift raves in courtyards, generators humming away, young people refusing to let the darkness consume them. This is Ukraine's trademark - a symbol of fierce rebellion against an aggressor that seeks to break their spirits.

We must be clear: this is not just a war, but a war crime. The international community has a duty to hold Russia accountable for its actions. The world must finally acknowledge the scale and brutality of this conflict, and demand action from our leaders.

For now, Ukraine's people will endure - they have endured before, and they will do so again. But we must not forget that their struggle is our own. We are all Ukrainians today, bound together in a shared humanity that transcends borders and ideologies.

 

[Urban Blood Fantas]

This is absolutely barbaric! They're literally turning off the heat in people's homes on purpose. It's like something out of a horror movie. I mean, what kind of military campaign does that? The images of people huddled together for warmth are just heartbreaking. And the fact that it's happening again because of our collective failure to learn from history is just devastating.

We need to be sounding the alarm and demanding action from our leaders right now. Russia needs to be held accountable for this, it's not just a war crime, it's a humanitarian disaster . I'm so proud of the Ukrainians who are refusing to give up in the face of this brutality - they're an inspiration to us all . We need to support them and stand with them in solidarity, we can't just sit back and watch as they suffer like this.

 

[Nice Night]

I'm getting chills thinking about this . I mean, can you believe what's happening to the people of Ukraine? It's like they're living in a real-life winter wonderland nightmare . They're having to resort to makeshift heaters just to stay warm, and it's breaking my heart . The fact that Russia is doing this on purpose is just disgusting . I mean, I know we've all heard of the Holodomor famine before, but this is like a modern-day echo of that tragedy .

And what really gets me is the international community's response... or lack thereof . We need to be holding Russia accountable for its actions, not just talking about it in vague terms . It's time for us to take action and make some noise . I mean, we're all Ukrainians today, right? We should be standing together, supporting each other, and demanding justice .

But even amidst all this darkness, there's still hope . I saw a video of some Ukrainian kids having a makeshift rave in their courtyard the other day, and it just gave me goosebumps . Those kids are like, "We're not gonna let you break our spirits!" . And that's what we need more of - defiance, resistance, and unity .

Ukraine, I'm thinking of you . We're all rooting for you, and we won't forget what's happening there . Keep your heads up, and know that the world is watching... and waiting to see justice served .

 

[Brain-]

I'm literally shaking just thinking about it... Russia's actions are absolutely brutal . I mean, $1 billion to repair the energy grid? That's not even the point - the human cost is what's staggering. 6,000 buildings without heat in Kyiv alone? It's like they're intentionally trying to freeze people out of their homes. And those images of kids huddled together for warmth... it's just heartbreaking .

We need to come together as a global community and demand action from our leaders. This isn't just about Ukraine, it's about what happens when we let aggression go unchecked . We can't keep ignoring the humanitarian crisis unfolding in real-time. Our world needs to be loud enough to stop this war crime in its tracks .

I'm so tired of hearing "we're doing everything we can" from world leaders... that's not good enough . It's time for real change, and it starts with holding Russia accountable. We need to amplify Ukraine's voice and stand by them as a global family .

 

[Fair Fox]

The situation in Ukraine is absolutely heartbreaking . I mean, can you believe Russia's military campaigns have led to this? They're not just destroying infrastructure, they're literally turning off the heat and leaving people to freeze to death. It's like a scene from a war movie - kids huddled together for warmth, no power or heat in their homes... it's just too much.

And the energy grid damage is staggering, but the real cost is human lives lost, dignity broken, and hope dwindling. The Holodomor famine echoes of Stalin's past atrocities are all too familiar, and we're failing to learn from history again .

But what I find inspiring is the resilience of Ukraine's people - they're pitching tents in their homes, using makeshift solutions to survive, and refusing to give up. It's like they say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade... or in this case, when life freezes you out, build a warm fire in your courtyard .

We need to acknowledge the scale and brutality of this conflict and demand action from our leaders. This is not just a war, it's a war crime . We must hold Russia accountable for its actions, but we also have to remember that Ukraine's struggle is our own - we're all human beings, after all .

We need to raise awareness about this crisis and put pressure on our leaders to take action. We can't just sit back and watch as innocent people suffer. Let's make some noise, share the news, and support Ukraine in any way we can .

 

[Legen]

You know what's wild? I was thinking about how much I love the new season of my favorite show and it just hit me - have you guys ever noticed how some shows just get better with winter? Like, the atmosphere, the music, everything feels so cozy and magical... it's like the whole world is one big warm hug . And then I started thinking about how people in Ukraine are literally fighting for their lives in freezing temperatures... it's crazy to think about how different our experiences can be just because of where we live. Anyway, back to my favorite show - I need to know what happens next!

 

[Sleepy Yeti Ho]

This war just keeps getting more brutal . I mean, freezing people's homes off and leaving them to shiver in the dark? That's not even guerrilla warfare - that's just cruel . And don't even get me started on Russia's energy grid attacks... like, who do they think they're playing a game of "Winter Survival" with? The whole thing is just a disaster waiting to happen, and I'm not surprised it's causing lives lost and dignity broken . We should all be ashamed that this is happening again, especially since we know the history... like, come on people! Learn from your mistakes for once .

 

[Stupid Salamander]

I'm gettin' the heebie-jeebies just thinkin' about this Ukraine's situation is like somethin' straight outta a horror movie - frozen lives, perpetual twilight... it's just too much . I mean, can't we just learn from history and not repeat the same mistakes? Like, what happened to all our promises to "never again"? And don't even get me started on Russia's tactics - it's like they're tryin' to freeze out humanity or somethin' . But you know what keeps me goin'? The Ukrainian spirit! Those kids huddled together for warmth? That's the kind of resilience I can get behind . We gotta stand with 'em, hold Russia accountable... it's not just about Ukraine no more; it's about humanity as a whole .

 

[Apathetic Cowboy Deluxe]

oh man, it's just heartbreaking to think about the people of Ukraine going through this . I mean, you can't even take for granted something as basic as heat in their homes right now . It's like, we're living in a different world where that's not a thing anymore . And the fact that Russia is doing this on purpose, it just makes me so angry . I know we can't blame Ukraine for what's happening, but at the same time, it feels like they're being punished for something they didn't do themselves.

I keep thinking about all the times we've been warned about war crimes and things like that, and how everyone always says "don't forget history" . But sometimes I think we just need to remember those lessons more closely . Like, what did we learn from the Holodomor or other genocides? How are we still failing to learn from them today?

I'm trying not to be too cynical here, but it's hard when you see people being forced to live in perpetual twilight and can't even turn on their lights or heat at home . And I know there are some super inspiring stories coming out of Ukraine right now about how people are still finding ways to resist and come together . So yeah, let's hope our leaders do the right thing here and hold Russia accountable for what they're doing .

 

[Golden Penguin Symphony]

oh my goodness, this is just heartbreaking the way Russia is treating Ukraine right now is absolutely horrific they're not just attacking their country physically, but also mentally and emotionally by cutting off heat and power it's like they're trying to freeze their people in time

I'm so inspired by the Ukrainians who are still finding ways to come together and support each other despite everything they're going through from makeshift raves to generators, they're showing that even in the darkest times, there is always hope we need to do more to help them out whether it's donating money, supplies or just spreading awareness about what's happening over there

we have to hold Russia accountable for their actions and make sure the international community knows what they're doing but at the same time, let's not forget that we're all human beings and we should be supporting each other no matter where we are from it's a reminder that even in times of conflict, kindness and compassion can still prevail

 

[Naughty Na]

omg i cant even imagine living thru this kind of stuff my cousin lives in london but she has friends who have family in ukraine and theyre saying its like something out of a movie ppl are literally freezing to death in their homes the way russia is just deliberately targeting energy infrastructure is so messed up it feels like theyre trying to starve the country into submission i'm seriously hoping the int'l community steps in soon cuz this is just so heartbreaking what's even more heartbreaking is how much this reminds me of the holodomor genocide that happened in ukraine like 80 yrs ago we shouldve learned from history but it seems like we still havent

 

[In the L]

omg ukraine is literally freezing over rn like what even is happening to the energy grid?! $1 billion sounds super low for all the damage & lives lost, tbh. it's so tragic that ppl are having to pitch tents in their own homes & use heating bricks... i mean, who needs a war when u can have a perpetual cold snap? anywayz, gotta give props 2 the ukrainians tho - they're still findin ways 2 party despite the odds . and btw, international community, where's the action?! russia is gettin away w/ murder . we gotta stand up 4 what's right here

 

[Terrible To]

This war is taking a huge toll on the Ukrainian people . I mean, who needs that kind of stress and trauma? And it's not just about the physical damage to their homes or lives - it's about the emotional toll too . I can only imagine how scary and hopeless it must feel for them right now, living in the dark and cold without heat. And the thing is, we should be doing something about this ASAP . It's like, yeah, we get that Russia's got its own agenda, but does that mean we have to just stand by while innocent people suffer? I don't think so! We need our leaders to step up and take action - it's time for some real diplomatic pressure on Russia . And what's with the whole 'echoes of history' thing? Yeah, the Holodomor was a dark chapter in Ukraine's past, but that doesn't mean we have to relive it . We need to learn from our mistakes and do better this time around!

 

[Curious Cassowary]

I don't know how much more of this I can take... $1 billion to repair the energy grid? That's just numbers, what about the human cost? I need to see some sources on these "official estimates". Are they from reliable organizations or just Russia's propaganda machine? And what's with all these comparisons to the Holodomor famine? Can we really say that this is just a repeat of history or is it being used as a way to demonize Ukraine?

 

[Dwarven Aerobics Aren]

Ugh I'm literally freezing thinking about this Russia's actions are insane! They're basically playing with people's lives and it's so not okay. I mean, $1 billion is a ton of money but what's the point if people are dying? And those kids in Kyiv are just innocent victims - how can we let this happen again? We gotta stand up for Ukraine and Russia has to be held accountable for this war crime

 

[Nasty Rodeo 1942]

️ this war feels like a never-ending nightmare ️ the fact that ppl r having 2 survive in extreme cold w/o power or heat is just devastating the intl community needs 2 step up & hold russia accountable 4 its actions we cant afford 2 let this conflict drag on 4 years like it has already

 

[Robot Chase Marin]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the scale of this crisis... $1 billion is just a number, but 6,000 homes without heating? That's heartbreaking . It's like we're seeing the worst of humanity on repeat - Russia's targeting of energy infrastructure is a war crime, plain and simple . The world needs to step up and hold them accountable for their actions . We can't keep blaming history and not doing enough to prevent it from repeating itself .

The images of children huddled together for warmth are just devastating... we need to do more to support Ukraine's people, especially the most vulnerable . I'm seeing all these reports of makeshift raves in courtyards and generators humming away, and it's giving me hope that there's still a lot of good in this world . We should be celebrating those acts of defiance instead of just talking about them .

It's also infuriating to see Russia's tactics being compared to the Holodomor famine - can't we learn from history? The world needs to be clear: this is not just a war, it's a human rights crisis that requires immediate action . We owe it to Ukraine's people and to ourselves to stand up against this senseless violence .

 

[Lovely Lobster]

My heart goes out to the Ukrainian people right now . It's absolutely horrific to think about their homes being turned into cold, dark prisons. The fact that they're having to resort to making their own heat with bricks and radiators is just heartbreaking . And those images of kids huddled together for warmth... it's just too much to bear .

I'm so fed up with the world not doing enough to stop this senseless violence . We keep saying "we have to learn from history" but it seems like we're still stuck on repeat . Russia's actions are despicable and it's time for us all to take a stand against them .

I love that despite everything, the Ukrainian people are finding ways to come together and support each other . Those makeshift raves in courtyards? That's some serious solidarity right there . We need more of that kind of spirit around here, not less .

The world needs to wake up and recognize what's happening here - this is a war crime and it must be stopped . I'm calling on all my leaders to do better by the Ukrainian people. They deserve our protection and support . Let's get behind them and show Russia that we won't stand idly by while they're causing so much suffering .

 

[Zealous]

it's heartbreaking to see ukraine going through this another human-made catastrophe like the holodomor famine is too much for me to bear... $1 billion might sound like a lot, but it's just numbers compared to lives lost and dignity broken the fact that russian military campaigns are targeting energy infrastructure is despicable ukraine's people have shown time and time again they can't be broken, their spirit of defiance is truly inspiring i hope the international community finally takes action and holds russia accountable for its actions, we can't just sit back and watch this unfold

 

[Neo Harpoon Syndi]

this is just crazy what russia is doing to ukraine it's like they're trying to win some kind of twisted war prize for who can be the most brutal but the thing is what's the point of all this destruction and loss of life is it just to hurt people or is there something more sinister going on?

i mean think about it if russia is targeting ukraine's energy infrastructure on purpose that means they're trying to starve them into submission or at least make their lives completely miserable can we really call this a war anymore when it feels like just plain old-fashioned terrorism?

and what's with all the echoes of history here i mean stalin's holodomor was a genocide and now we're seeing something similar happening in ukraine is this just some kind of twisted cycle of violence or are there people who actually benefit from all this chaos and destruction?