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“We Are Unbreakable”: How Ukrainian Children Face Daily Blackouts Amid Russian Strikes

“We Are Unbreakable”: How Ukrainian Children Face Daily Blackouts Amid Russian Strikes

With winter coming, Russia has been increasing its attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, leaving cities without essential services like heat, water, or electricity. Despite these harsh challenges, children’s clubs in Ukraine are adapting to the outages, utilizing charging stations and generators.

2 min read
Authors
Photo of Amira Barkhush
Amira Barkhush
Reporter
Photo of Josh Olley
Josh Olley
Photojournalist

“At first, the kids would freak out when the lights went off, there was screaming and yelling, but they’re used to it now,” said Iryna, a ballet master of the “Zefir” dance studio. “It happens almost every day.”

A Taekwondo class in Kyiv continues training in dim lights, December, 2025. Photo by Josh Olley, UNITED24 Media.
A Taekwondo class in Kyiv continues training in dim lights, December, 2025. Photo by Josh Olley, UNITED24 Media.

We visited the “Childhood Academy,” a children’s club in Kyiv, which endures daily long hours of power outages. Like other businesses across the country, the club has adapted by installing generators and charging stations to keep the lights on.

Extracurricular activities help kids maintain a sense of normalcy and routine, allowing them to see friends and teachers. However, the sounds of flying Shaheds above your head are something you never get used to.

Heorhii, 8 years old, said he is tired of power outages but is happy when the lights come back on. Photo by Josh Olley, UNITED24 Media.
Heorhii, 8 years old, said he is tired of power outages but is happy when the lights come back on. Photo by Josh Olley, UNITED24 Media.
Uliana is 7 years old and loves Taekwondo: “We aren’t giving up; we are unbreakable.” Photo by Josh Olley, UNITED24 Media.
Uliana is 7 years old and loves Taekwondo: “We aren’t giving up; we are unbreakable.” Photo by Josh Olley, UNITED24 Media.

“It scares me sometimes. We always go to the shelter when there are lots of missiles and Shaheds,” said the 8-year-old Zlata.

Eight-year-old Zlata: “I love dancing, and I’d stay here forever if I could.” Photo by Josh Olley, UNITED24 Media.
Eight-year-old Zlata: “I love dancing, and I’d stay here forever if I could.” Photo by Josh Olley, UNITED24 Media.
Girls dance at a choreography class during a power outage in Kyiv, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Josh Olley, UNITED24 Media.
Girls dance at a choreography class during a power outage in Kyiv, Ukraine, December 2025. Photo by Josh Olley, UNITED24 Media.

Most children stated that they had gotten used to the electricity shortage. As 7-year-old Uliana said: “We aren’t giving up; we are unbreakable.”

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