Ukraine has faced temperatures as low as -20C this winter, at the same time as dealing with a humanitarian crisis as Russia hits key civilian infrastructure, analysis has shown.
Humanitarian groups have warned that attacks in the coldest winter months can “devastate” civilian lives, limiting access to energy and water for vulnerable groups such as displaced and elderly people.
Areas in Dnipro, Donetsk and Kharkiv are particularly vulnerable, according to research from Reach, an initiative from the Impact thinktank that provides humanitarian data and analysis. Some areas are housing tens of thousands of displaced people through the winter, at the same time as crucial infrastructure – including energy and housing – is being targeted by Russian missiles and artillery.
