Simmonds-Upton: Scribbler

Finding purpose in resistance, and power in a lack of it

The situation in Ukraine

I’ll begin this with a point about the power outages more generally, one that needs to be made. The targeting of Ukrainian energy infrastructure is a war crime, a crime against humanity, and part of a systemic attempt by the russian state to commit ethnic cleansing. Their stated aims to make Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital and a city of 3 million people, uninhabitable.

As I write, the temperature outside is -8 degrees centigrade at midday. We in Lviv are relatively lucky, our intermitent power cuts mean that we do still have sporadic heating. This means the temperature is maintained inside. In Kyiv, where power cuts last days, this is not the case. Apartment blocks have gone so long without heating that they are literally freezing on the inside.

The russian assault on our power systems is a war crime, and indicative of the russian state’s penchant for wanton cruelty and crimes against civilians. Ukrainians country wide have been living with this reality since the systemic targetting of energy began in 2022. A lot of the recent commentary in the West has framed this winter of difficulty as a response by russia to the bombing of their oil refineries. This, to be blunt, is victim blaming trash spread by at best ignorant and ill-informed commentators.

We would be cold and suffering power outages regardless of Ukraine’s responses to russia’s invasion. What I describe here is deliberate, and should not be minimised in any way.

The Daily Toll

Every day, we face power outages ranging from 3 hours to 18. These are, thankfully, usually spread throughout the day.

During the periods of blackout all power in your district, numbered, will be cut. No power in the flat, no power in the shops, no street lights.

As I have said, those of us in Lviv have it light by comparison. A friend of mine in Kyiv outlined the reality she faces, when I asked her if she was hoping to leave the city.

During a brief visit to Kyiv myself I faced the harsh edge of this, for two days our rented apartment was without running water. We were on the 12th floor. With intermittent power, we had to use the half-external snow covered stairs to avoid getting stuck in the lift. There was never any heating, so the temperature in the flat was near freezing.

The physical toll is obvious, it is harder to work with no power. Harder to cook. Harder to live. As a young person I don’t need to worry for my survival directly. But for the elderly or infirm, there is a genuine constant risk of freezing in ones home.

The Psychological Impact

Beyond the daily disruption, the lack of power has other effects. While the cold can keep you from wanting to venture from your flat, into the outside world, a lack of power can be a truly depressing thing inside as well. When there’s no light, and little heat, finding self-motivation is difficult.

Yes, you can cook by candlelight. Yes, you can read with a USB powered desk lamp. The effect is more than just practical, it is psychological. The darkness can make you feel powerless in more ways than one.

It is a feeling similar to depression, a pervasive lack of desire to do. You don’t want to socialise. You don’t want to work. You don’t want to clean. Even when the power returns, the drive you need is not guaranteed. It is a form of war not only design to kill civilians, but their spirit too.

Ukrainian Resilience

I’ve always found it to be truly crass and tone deaf when privileged (usually Western) people talk about the “resilience” and “bravery” of people facing war. It is a wonderful heartwarming story to some, the lengths we go to to keep going. The community caring for each other, the innovation of the “Points of Invincibility” (see below). The hardship facing Ukrainians packaged into “inspirational” stories for those sitting in warm homes to warm their hearts with.

That said, it is something to behold first hand. There is an entire industry of preparedness. Most homes have a UPS (Uninterruptible power supply) for their devices. In my case, I have one for my WiFi so I can work when there is no power.

Going back to friend’s message, what struck me was the line “so, it’s not that bad”. Facing freezing temperatures and power outages. Under daily bombardments, and deadly attacks. With a literal frozen toilet. “It’s not that bad.”

Ukrainians will not bow to these attacks. As spring approaches we are already seeing an improvement in the power and heating situations. We are making it through. The lack of power has not left Ukrainians powerless, it has shown theirs.

The real story of this is not that Ukrainians are brave, or that they are innovative, or resilient. Even though they are all of these things.

The real story is that once again, for the third winter in a row, Ukrainians have been left to face this war alone. This winter was as bad as it has been because the delivery of anti-air munitions has been held up. Ukrainians will hold. russia will not break the will of this nation. What is uncertain is if Europe has the spine to stand with them. Or will they continue to speak warm words of being inspired, while dooming Ukrainians to the cold.