Blackout in Kyiv - emergency winterisation support

In early 2026, Kyiv experienced severe missile and drone attacks on critical energy infrastructure, causing extended disruptions to electricity, heating, and hot water services. Outages exceeded 16 hours in several districts, while damage to the main power station supplying the left bank left over 1,100 buildings without heat. As winter temperatures plummeted to -20°C, these severe conditions presented an immediate risk to vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. 

Polish Humanitarian Action’s support focused on providing immediate humanitarian relief and strengthening energy resilience in affected communities. Through the distribution of hot meals, warm supplies, and essential food items at Invincibility Points, we ensured basic needs were met. Simultaneously, to combat severe blackouts, we delivered dozens of power generators and established a fuel card system, keeping Invincibility Points, municipal buildings, and residential buildings operational. 

To ensure efficient distribution to those most in need, the generators were provided to the organizations responsible for crisis management and civilian support in Kyiv. These partners further allocated the units based on real-time needs. 

The Invincibility Points, which received the majority of the generators, were visited by 56,241 people during the coldest period of winter (February through the first half of March). 

The generators enabled: 

• Space heating 

• Preparation of hot meals 

• Access to power for electronic devices 

• Maintenance of basic safety conditions during prolonged power outages 

• Operation of water and heating circulation pumps, as well as emergency lighting in common areas (such as stairwells, entrances, and hallways) 

Key Support Highlights 

As part of the “Emergency Winter Support for Kyiv” program, a generator was provided to the International Center for Rehabilitation and Neurophysiology (ICRN), located in the Troieshchyna, part of Desnianskyi district of Kyiv.  

 The Center delivers comprehensive rehabilitation services to children with disabilities from across Ukraine. Approximately 100 children undergo rehabilitation at the facility each day.  

 The Center’s primary areas of activity include:  

• Rehabilitation services for children with disabilities;  

• Specialist consultations provided by neurologists, physical and rehabilitation medicine physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, and orthopedic specialists;  

• Physical rehabilitation;  

• Functional diagnostics;  

• Aquatic therapy (pool-based rehabilitation);  

• Therapeutic massage;  

• Developmental and corrective therapy sessions;  

• Bioelectronic medicine and technology-assisted rehabilitation methods;  

• Speech and language therapy.  

A particular advantage of the Center is its two inclusive rehabilitation pools, which are fully adapted to support water-based therapy for children with diverse rehabilitation needs. Rehabilitation sessions are conducted by qualified swimming instructors with extensive experience working with both young children and adolescents. 

 School No. 300 in Kyiv is more than a place of education for its 600 students. It also hosts an Invincibility Point where residents of the surrounding neighbourhood can find warmth, hot water, Wi-Fi, and a place to charge their devices during power outages.   

 For Larisa, the school director, keeping these services available means being prepared when the central electricity supply is disrupted. With the support of Polish Humanitarian Action, the school received a generator donated by Konimpex, providing the backup power needed to continue supporting children and local residents.  

“We really need it because everything we use requires an alternative to the central electricity supply,” Larisa explains.  

 The generator powers equipment that keeps children’s meals warm, heats water, charges power banks and portable power stations, and supports Wi-Fi access and backup lighting.  

 The Invincibility Point is well known among residents of the neighbourhood. Depending on the situation with the electricity supply, up to one hundred people may use the space in a month. Some come for tea or hot water, while others take hot water home to prepare food or milk for small children.