Ukraine War Diaries: Thermal underwear and toilet pits – Kyiv residents become ever more resourceful as missiles rain down | World News
“This is how Russia does war,” explains Seva Koshel in the latest episode of the Sky New Ukraine War Diaries podcast.
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After weeks of missile attacks on their power network, Kyiv is now descending into a siege-like city, with residents forced to become ever more resourceful to overcome depleting electricity and water supplies.
“Hitting infrastructure, hitting hospitals, hitting civil buildings, schools… it’s in their military doctrine, so it’s okay for them,” continues Seva, a military volunteer who’s been documenting life in war-time Ukraine since the Russian invasion on 24 February.
“[And] we know from the messages from our Ministry of Defence that the Russians are preparing a new massive attack to our infrastructure in upcoming days.”
Military volunteer Seva Koshel pictured during a supply drop to a Ukrainian tank battalion in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine
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Ukrainians have endured nearly two months of Russian air attacks on their energy infrastructure. Officials estimate that more than half the national power network has been targeted.
But, with the passing of every winter week, temperatures are dropping lower. And while Kyiv repelled the Russian advance in the early months of the war, the capital is starting to feel the full impact of strategy designed the make the city less habitable in freezing conditions.
Yet again this week, a slew of missiles targeted Kyiv.
“I didn’t have any electricity or lights for over 33 hours,” explains resident Ilyas Verdiev. “So it was all about keeping my phone alive and trying to reach the internet.
“As long as you don’t have any electricity, you can’t get any mobile internet connection, because the mobile stations lose power as well.
“It was getting colder over the night. I didn’t have any electricity and the water was running really slow.
Ilyas Verdiev, Ukraine War Diarist, pictured on 10 October
“The biggest problem I faced was that the freezer was melting. It’s not a huge deal. I can always use the outside atmosphere and get use of some cold weather. I can put my things outside and they get frozen at any time.
“There is a suggestion we have to dig out, at some point, a hole so we can use it as a toilet outside the block.
“These are the things that we are discussing, how we going to dig it out and how we’re going to use it. This is the 21st century here in a European capital. This is the winter we have to come through.”
From the creators of Sky News’ award-winning StoryCast, Ukraine War Diaries is a weekly podcast following those living on Europe’s new frontline, and those who have escaped it.
Producer: Robert Mulhern
Digital promotion and additional writing: David Chipakupaku
