In the coldest winter since the beginning of the war, Russia is deliberately hitting Ukraine's energy system. How are they surviving in the capital Kiev? ARD report:
The growl of the generator can be heard even in the tent. But thanks to it, it is warm inside the yurt. Katerina, an elderly woman, has taken off her winter jacket and is sitting on a chair. She looks exhausted, ARD tells.
For several weeks, Kiev has been suffering from an acute energy shortage because Russia is deliberately attacking power plants with drones and missiles. "I haven't had electricity for six days, it's hard", says Katerina. That's why in recent days she has often come to the warming station set up in a Kiev park: "Here I can charge my phone and warm up a little," she tells ARD's Peter Sevitz.
A little further away, in the tent that reads "yurt of indomitability," sits Daria, a woman in her 40s. "It's really cold. In our neighborhood on the left bank of the river, there was only three hours of electricity yesterday. At least we managed to charge our devices. We're coping, but our pets are very cold," she says.
Help from Kazakhstan
The tent that Katerina and Daria are visiting is no ordinary one. The yurt is a traditional Kazakh tent. It has the flags of Ukraine and Kazakhstan, oriental-patterned carpets on the walls, and traditional costumes and instruments. Daria almost feels at home: "I am originally from Kazakhstan, but I have been living in Ukraine since 2009", she says.
The so-called "yurt of indomitability" is open every day from 9 am to 8 pm. Zhanna is on shift today, preparing baursaks - traditional Kazakh yeast buns. They often prepare Kazakh stew for visitors, and there is always tea, says Zhanna.
The initiative was taken by a Ukrainian MP who maintains good political contacts in Kazakhstan. The Kazakh diaspora in Ukraine and many entrepreneurs also support the project, writes ARD.
"We can support each other"
Similar places for warming are also organized by the Kiev city government. But with sub-zero temperatures, which often drop below -10, private aid projects such as the "Yurt of Indomitability" are becoming increasingly important.
Added to this is the emotional factor. "The last few days have been very difficult - we can't sleep with this constant shelling", says Daria. According to her, these private initiatives give people the feeling that they are not alone in the most difficult winter so far since the beginning of the war.
She recently experienced the same thing through another gesture: "A distant acquaintance, with whom we hadn't spoken for a long time, contacted me to tell me that she had a free and heated apartment. "You can stay there as long as you want, for free", she assured her.
People help each other. But the difficult situation is exhausting them. With tears in her eyes, Katerina says in the report that today is her birthday: "I am turning 72 and I am celebrating with a cup of tea. What do I wish for? Just a little warmth and comfort," the elderly woman adds to ARD.