Freezing Kyiv: Families Pack Up in Wake of War and Winter

Fri Oct 09 2026 07:12:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Kyiv residents flee homes amid relentless drone strikes and icy winters, seeking refuge in warmer cities or rural retreats.

Kyiv residents face a dual threat of drone attacks and sub-zero temperatures, pushing families to consider moving to safer, warmer locations outside the capital. Last winter was brutal with power cuts and constant missile interceptions, while recent strikes have struck the city centre, making everyday life untenable. Many families, like Mariia with her two children, are heading abroad to places such as Hurghada to avoid danger and suffering. Others are turning to the countryside, trading the capital’s risks for isolation and the ability to have their own heating; meanwhile authorities are increasing small-scale power plants and relocating vulnerable residents to safer venues.

Freezing Kyiv: Families Pack Up in Wake of War and Winter

As the 2026‑27 winter sets in, Ukraine’s capital is battling not only sub‑zero temperatures but a steady tide of Russian drones and missiles. The nightly bombardments have made living in the city feel more dangerous than the cold itself.

Wreckage from drones on streets of Kyiv.

The Dual Threat of War and Cold

Mariia Shostak, mother of two, packed her small flat after the dates of repeated midnight strikes intensified. “The winter last year was unbearable,” she says, speaking of power cuts that persisted for weeks as the Russian attack on the grid faltered service.

The new wave of attacks began in late August, shifting from the outskirts to the heart of Kyiv. Mariia recalls the stark reality of missiles and drones “hitting the centre, right above our heads.” Her children, born later this year, will not receive another winter marked by such peril.

Seeking Warmth Abroad

Unable to endure another icy, violent winter, Mariia plans to relocate the family to Hurghada on Egypt’s Red Sea coast—a decision driven by cost, comfort and the promise of years without a grey sky.

She emphasises, “I do not feel safe in Ukraine in any way.” The decision echoes a broader sentiment among Kyiv’s residents, many of whom are still weighing their options. According to a September survey by Gradus, 40% of respondents considered relocating if conditions worsened; 35% stayed, and 25% remained undecided.

A Shift to the Countryside

Others, unable to secure overseas travel or retire to upscale homes, have turned to rural outskirts. Olena Konoplia, for instance, settled in a cottage two hours from the capital, avoiding factories, railways and other possible targets.

Olena in front of a modest house — Olena has found peace in a quiet village outside Kyiv.

Her cottage is equipped with gas heaters and a firewood reserve per the high‑speed internet needed for her work. In quieter surroundings, Olena reports sleeping peacefully, free from sirens and explosions.

Government Measures

In response, Kyiv authorities have converted sanatoriums and rehabilitation centres into temporary shelters for the elderly and families with young children. Additionally, a network of fifteen small‑scale power plants—constructed over eighteen months—coordinates to buffer energy outages, each protected by steel cages to guard against drone attacks.

Despite these efforts, many city residents continue to feel that their latched‑in circumstances may force an exodus once conditions become untenable. Evgeniya Blyznyuk of Gradus notes that most are postponing a move until life in Kyiv becomes truly unliveable.

For now, Ukraine’s capital endures the winter’s chill and the shadow of war, while families chart uncertain, ever‑changing paths toward safety.