On certain nights, Margaryta Zakharchuk, a Ukrainian mother, roams her neighborhood in the intense heat, waiting for the power to return so she can use the elevator to reach her 12th-floor apartment. "We stroll outside until 10 PM to avoid climbing up with our two children," she explained.
At 43, Zakharchuk is one of millions of Ukrainians enduring a record heatwave exacerbated by frequent power outages, rendering household appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators ineffective. Regular Russian airstrikes have severely damaged the country's energy infrastructure, resulting in prolonged blackouts that force residents and businesses to adapt in extreme heat. The Central Geophysical Observatory reported a record-high temperature of 34.2 degrees Celsius in Kyiv on July 15, with forecasts indicating even higher temperatures.
Zakharchuk noted that her cooking options are restricted due to food spoiling faster. Like many Ukrainians, her daily routine is segmented by periods of electricity availability. "When the power comes back, you start doing everything: washing, ironing, cooking, and charging all your devices," she said while bathing her one-year-old daughter, Vasilisa, in the sink. Zakharchuk added that her family had contemplated leaving town but found no viable options.
At a nearby store, owner Vika has reduced her orders of dairy products like milk and butter due to the increased costs of running a generator. "These are all additional expenses," said the 37-year-old, whose store experiences power outages for six to eight hours daily. The extreme heat is also impacting Ukraine's economy, with state weather forecasters predicting a potential 30% decline in late crop harvests in central, southern, and eastern regions. Grid operator Ukrenergo announced new emergency shutdowns for consumers in seven regions, excluding the capital, due to the heatwave and a failure of power equipment.
The energy ministry has advised consumers to conserve energy and limit the use of high-power electrical appliances to maintain grid stability. Holding her infant outside her building, Zakharchuk expressed her frustration with the impracticality of carrying a stroller up to her apartment. "Now, it's a long journey back home."
