Sumy Oblast, Putyvl. A frontline town that has been living under constant danger for several years now. Regular shelling, damage to critical infrastructure, and frequent power outages have become part of everyday life for local residents. These challenges are felt most acutely in winter—a season that is difficult even in peacetime. This winter has become one of the hardest for Ukraine, and for border communities the issue of warmth has turned into a matter of survival.
Mr. Viacheslav Volodymyrovych is a resident of Putyvl and a participant in our project “Winterization and Support for Vulnerable People in Frontline Communities of Sumy Oblast.” He received fuel briquettes as part of the assistance, which have become especially valuable to him, as in such difficult conditions they provide the most important thing—confidence in the day ahead.
“Winter has always been a challenge, but now it is even more so. When you live under constant threat, every power outage or shelling is felt very deeply. In moments like these, you begin to appreciate simple things—warmth in your home, the ability to keep warm and cook food,” Mr. Viacheslav shares.
He considers himself fortunate that his house is equipped with a wood-burning stove. In current conditions, this has become a real lifeline, as electricity supply in the town is unstable and alternative heating sources are not available to every family. However, even having a stove does not solve all the problems—without a sufficient fuel supply, it becomes nothing more than a cold part of the house.
“Having a stove is good, but without firewood or briquettes it is useless. When you know you have fuel stored, you experience winter very differently. Power outages are less frightening. You know you will be able to heat your home and get through the night,” he says.
The fuel briquettes provided through the project have significantly strengthened Mr. Viacheslav’s resilience to winter hardships. They allow him to maintain warmth in his home, use resources more efficiently, and be prepared for any unforeseen situations.
“When it’s freezing and dark outside, but warm inside, it helps you stay afloat mentally. For us, it’s a chance to rest, regain strength, and keep going,” he adds.
Due to constant threats, residents of Putyvl are forced to plan ahead—how to heat their homes, what to do in the event of prolonged power outages, and how to preserve warmth for themselves and their loved ones. In such conditions, support in the form of fuel briquettes becomes not a one-time aid, but an essential part of winter preparedness.
“It is very important to feel that you are not alone in this situation. That there are people and organizations who think about us, remember us, and help us. This gives us strength and faith,” Mr. Viacheslav Volodymyrovych concludes.
The project is funded by the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund and implemented by Stabilization Support Services (SSS) in cooperation with the Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH).