‘We have to keep people warm’: The Ukrainian energy workers risking their lives as Russia targets critical facilities
The Unfolding Winter Crisis
As the nights grow longer and the chill of winter deepens across Ukraine, a silent battle rages far from the front lines. It’s a battle fought not with bullets, but with wrenches, torches, and sheer determination – the battle to keep the lights on and the heat flowing. In the face of relentless Russian strikes on the nation’s energy infrastructure, a core group of Ukrainian workers stands as the frontline defense against a humanitarian catastrophe: the energy utility crews risking their lives daily to repair power lines, restore heating, and ensure essential services continue. Their motto, “We have to keep people warm,” encapsulates the stark reality of their sacrifice.
Inside the Inferno: The Workers’ Reality
These are not soldiers, but electricians, engineers, and maintenance crews. They descend into danger zones, often working in freezing temperatures themselves, to mend the damage inflicted by missiles and drones. The infrastructure they protect is vast and vulnerable: high-voltage transmission lines crisscrossing the countryside, sprawling thermal power plants, and the intricate networks supplying cities and villages. A single strike can plunge hundreds of thousands into darkness and cold.
The danger is omnipresent. Crews operate under constant threat of renewed attacks while working on exposed, damaged equipment. The risk of electrocution is ever-present. They work in ruins, navigating unstable structures and hazardous materials, all while enduring the physical strain of harsh conditions. Yet, their resolve remains unshaken. “It’s hard, very hard,” a senior engineer working in a region recently targeted told reporters. “You see the destruction, you know the risks, but people need power. People need heat. That’s the only thing that matters.”
The Human Cost: Beyond the Power Grid
The impact of these attacks extends far beyond the inconvenience of a power outage. For millions of Ukrainians, winter means life or death. Elderly residents, infants, and those with chronic illnesses are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia and related complications without reliable heating. Water systems freeze and fail, disrupting access to clean water. Hospitals struggle to maintain critical operations. Businesses close, plunging communities further into economic hardship. The workers’ mission is fundamentally humanitarian: preventing a cascade of suffering caused by freezing temperatures.
Resilience in the Ruins
Despite the immense challenges, the Ukrainian energy sector demonstrates remarkable resilience. Repair teams operate around the clock, often using makeshift equipment and adapting to constantly changing conditions. International support, including crucial aid for spare parts and specialized training, bolsters their efforts. The workers themselves embody a quiet heroism. They are fathers and mothers, neighbors and friends, driven by a profound sense of duty to their country and its people. Their focus is singular: restore power, restore heat, restore hope.
A Call for Awareness
The story of these energy workers is one of quiet, enduring courage in the face of overwhelming adversity. Their daily sacrifices are the bedrock upon which the survival of millions hinges during the harshest months. Recognizing their plight is vital. Supporting the repair and reconstruction of energy infrastructure is not just about restoring services; it’s about safeguarding human lives and dignity. As the winter deepens, the rallying cry remains clear: “We have to keep people warm.” The workers answer that call, risking everything to ensure that, even in the darkest times, warmth finds its way home.