Ukrainians Are Sharing Hacks Online on How to Survive Winter Power Cuts

When winter arrives in Ukraine, it no longer brings just cold winds and snow-covered streets. For millions of Ukrainians, it also means long and unpredictable power cuts. As energy infrastructure continues to be targeted, electricity outages have become part of daily life—sometimes lasting for hours, sometimes for days. Yet in the middle of these harsh conditions, Ukrainians are doing what they have always done best: adapting, helping one another, and finding creative ways to survive.

Across social media platforms like Telegram, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, Ukrainians are sharing practical “hacks” to cope with winter power outages. These aren’t luxury survival tips—they are real-life solutions created by people who are living through the crisis. Together, they form a digital survival guide powered by community resilience.

Turning Homes Into Survival Spaces

One of the most common topics online is how to stay warm without electricity. Ukrainians have been sharing tips on insulating rooms using everyday household items. Heavy curtains, blankets, and even rugs are being used to block drafts from windows and doors. Many recommend choosing one small room to live in during outages, sealing it as tightly as possible to preserve heat.

Candles, while not new, have become essential tools again. Users post safety reminders on how to place candles inside ceramic pots or metal containers to retain warmth while reducing fire risk. Others demonstrate how to use camping gear indoors—sleeping bags, thermal mats, and portable gas heaters—while stressing the importance of ventilation and carbon monoxide safety.

Cooking Without Power

Food preparation during blackouts is another challenge Ukrainians are solving together. Online videos show how to cook meals using portable gas stoves, grills, or even makeshift outdoor setups on balconies and courtyards. People share simple recipes that require minimal heat and ingredients, such as soups, porridge, and canned food combinations.

Thermos flasks have become surprisingly valuable. Many Ukrainians boil water whenever electricity briefly returns and store it in thermoses to last through the night. Social media users also recommend cooking food in advance and wrapping pots in towels or blankets to keep meals warm for hours.

Staying Connected and Informed

During power cuts, access to information can be just as important as heat. Ukrainians have shared advice on conserving phone batteries by lowering screen brightness, switching to airplane mode when possible, and using power banks wisely. Solar chargers and car chargers are frequently discussed, with users recommending reliable models and warning against cheap, unsafe options.

Telegram channels dedicated to outage schedules, emergency updates, and survival tips have grown rapidly. These online communities help people plan their days—when to charge devices, cook food, or do laundry—based on expected electricity availability.

Mental Health in the Dark

Surviving winter power cuts isn’t only a physical challenge; it’s an emotional one too. Ukrainians are openly discussing mental health online, sharing ways to cope with stress, fear, and exhaustion. Simple routines—reading by flashlight, playing board games, journaling, or talking with family—are often recommended as grounding activities during long, dark evenings.

Humor has also become a powerful coping tool. Memes, jokes, and lighthearted videos about blackout life circulate widely, offering moments of relief and reminding people they are not alone. This shared humor doesn’t minimize the hardship—it helps people endure it.

Community Over Individual Survival

Perhaps the most powerful “hack” Ukrainians are sharing is the importance of community. Posts frequently encourage neighbors to check on elderly residents, share generators, cook together, or warm up in shared spaces. In many cities, “Points of Invincibility”—public locations with heat, power, and internet—are promoted online so people know where to go when conditions become unbearable.

This collective mindset transforms survival from an individual struggle into a shared effort. Knowledge spreads faster, mistakes are avoided, and hope is sustained.

Resilience Powered by Connection

The online exchange of survival hacks shows that Ukrainians are not just enduring winter power cuts—they are actively resisting despair. Each shared tip, video, or post is an act of solidarity. In a world where electricity can disappear at any moment, connection has taken on a deeper meaning.

Through creativity, caution, and community, Ukrainians are proving that even in the coldest, darkest times, resilience can be shared—and hope can stay lit.