Power cuts in Ukraine

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Millions of people in Ukraine are having to live with cuts to their electricity, water and heating, as official reports estimate that Russian missile attacks have damaged or destroyed almost half of the country’s energy system. Temperatures are already hovering around freezing in much of the country, and forecasts predict a drop to -20C as winter sets in. As engineers try to restore power, one of the country's biggest energy companies has warned Ukraine could be dealing with blackouts until the end of March. We hear from Ukrainians about the impact of these power cuts on their lives and work. Hospital staff describe how they manage to keep operating theatres and Intensive Care Units functioning as they’re plunged into darkness, and the power supply is cut to patients’ ventilators. Three business owners discuss the challenges and small triumphs they’ve experienced due to the war and now regular power outages. They describe how they’re coping with low profitability, but all feel it’s important for the community as well as themselves to keep going, and to focus on the future. And two mothers of young children describe their plans for keeping their families warm and healthy in the coming months. (Photo: People charge their devices from a power generator and receive a hot tea at a heating point, organised by state emergency service, during power cut in Kyiv, Ukraine, 24 November 2022. Credit: Oleg Petrasyuk/EPA-EFE/Rex/Shutterstock)