Russia is deliberately attacking Ukraine's energy and heating infrastructure in winter. This is no coincidence. With temperatures as low as –20 °C, a power outage poses an immediate threat to life. This appeal was created as a direct response to energy terrorism, which leaves entire cities without light, heat and water.
Ukrainian energy workers are working around the clock, often under fire, to restore what is being destroyed again and again. In 2025 alone, Russia used approximately 2,000 missiles and more than 54,000 drones against Ukraine, with a large part of the attacks targeting the energy sector. The enemy returns to the same places – repairs turn into an endless struggle.
The collection is being organised by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Slovak Republic in cooperation with partner organisations from the civil sector: the Donio Non-Investment Fund, the Integra Foundation, Post Bellum SK, Peace for Ukraine, People in Peril, the Pontis Foundation, All4Ukraine, Ambrela, Adra, Heart with Ukraine and the Open Society Foundation.
We respond jointly in situations where survival is literally at stake – quickly, purposefully and in cooperationwith local administrations
When it`s 5 degrees at home and minus 20 outside
Imagine that you only have access to electricity for a few hours a day, and that's in the best-case scenario. And you live in a flat where the temperature drops to 5 °C. Outside, it's freezing. Inside, it's dark. Silent.
For the average person, this means not being able to cook food on the stove, heat their flat or charge their phone. Not to mention keeping children, the sick and the elderly warm.
For thousands of families in Ukraine, this is their daily reality today.
The energy deficit is critical. Ukraine needs approximately 18 GW, but can only produce 6.4 GW. Most worryingly, Ukraine has reached the limits of its technical capabilities – stocks of replacement equipment are exhausted. There are no more spare transformers in storage that could be used to replace the destroyed ones. Any further intervention could be fatal, as there will simply be nothing to repair it with.
At the beginning of January, more than 1 million people were left without electricity in the Dnipropetrovsk region alone. Subsequently, 35% of Kyiv lost power – and with it, heat and water.
Currently, the entire left bank of Ukraine is threatened by a complete power outage – approximately 15 million people whose lives depend on whether the necessary equipment can be secured and delivered now.
Darkness and cold are not side effects of war here.
They are its goal.
Contribute to generators that provide light, heat and a chance of survival
We want to raise €500,000 to purchase generators, thanks to people like you. They can provide immediate help where the situation is most critical.
We direct our aid to the most affected areas – Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Chernihiv, Sumy and the Sumy region – always according to current needs and in cooperation with regional and local authorities.
Your donations will provide:
- electricity and heat for residential buildings,
- support for hospitals, schools, crisis centres and public services,
- the creation of basic energy infrastructure for cities and towns during outages,
- transport of generators to Ukraine.
Generators are currently one of the fastest and most effective ways to help people survive the winter. Each one means light in the darkness. Warmth in the cold. Hope where there should only be fear.
This winter is decisive. Give warmth. Give light. Let's help
Ukraine survive.
THANK YOU.
Photo source: Yuliia Svyrydenko – Facebook, Ukrenegro, DTEK, State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, Andrii Dubchak – Frontliner / Getty images