The streets of Kyiv, Ukraine, have gone dark. Ukrainians are sleeping in winter coats and sleeping bags, stockpiling candles, and cooking meals on small gas burners as the country’s energy system buckles under sustained Russian attacks.

Ukraine is operating under a severe electricity deficit after months of missile and drone strikes targeting generation facilities and high-voltage substations. According to Ukrainian energy officials, available generation capacity is well below pre-war levels, forcing nationwide rolling blackouts that hit households and industry alike. This winter is the worst of the war, which began in February 2022.