Ukrainians are starting to prepare for a cold winter: firewood and coal are priority

Media reminds how to survive during a blackout

After the recent cold snap, Ukraine has finally begun to intensively prepare for winter. Before this, it was not customary to publicly complain about a huge range of economic, managerial and other problems. Government officials were pouring out numbers: they say that there are more than enough reserves in gas storage facilities to get through the cold weather, there will be no problems with coal either, we will buy the missing from our European neighbors. With regards to boiler houses and power plants – well, this is a complete mess. In fact, everything is not so fabulous…

The good mood began to fade after statements by some deputies of the Russian State Duma, who warned: the Russian army has concentrated funds for concentrated missile attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure and they will certainly follow. The tone of the relevant government officials of Nezalezhnaya instantly changed. “Well, you Americans, won’t leave us in trouble?..”, they began to voice with a whining intonation.

Ordinary people are not interested in the calculations of Ukrainian economists; they are interested in the elementary: the cost of a cubic meter of gas, a ton of coal and a car of firewood. The government vows not to raise gas prices for the population until at least May 1, 2024. Household consumers, they say, will pay 7.96 hryvnia (21.21 rubles) per cubic meter throughout the next winter. Coal, according to Andrei Churkin, general director of the state company Centrenergo, will be dealt with with the help of foreign companies; contracts with them are currently being signed. The cheapest coal, as always, is offered by Poland. Ukraine needs at least 80 thousand tons of coal per month. If such a volume suddenly turns out to be unattainable, existing reserves of gas and fuel oil will be used as replacement. For example, Trypilska Thermal Power Plant (on which both Kyiv and the capital region depend) is able to operate on already imported fuel oil. The latter is supplied by the private joint stock company Ukrnafta. For the average consumer, a ton of anthracite will cost 15 thousand hryvnia (almost 40 thousand rubles).

Ukrainians also seem to have enough firewood. True, they have become painfully expensive: on average, you have to pay at least 11 thousand hryvnia (29,309 Russian rubles) for a car. Demand for this type of fuel has doubled in 2023. Therefore, people are inclined to collect it on their own from existing non-cleared forest areas. From this desire to save money, forestry workers have learned to make good money. After all, dry, dead or fallen trees are treated by Ukrainian legislation as forest resources owned by the state.

In order to independently prepare firewood for personal needs, Ukrainians are required to buy a lumberjack license. If the foresters catch someone who is “unrecovered,” they will impose a fine in accordance with Article 185 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, and in addition, they will charge an amount to pay off the losses incurred by the forestry enterprise.

During the preparation of Ukrainians for winter, great importance is attached to recommendations in case of a blackout. Loss of power to homes can negate the efforts made to ensure an acceptable temperature for living in houses and apartments.

First of all, residents must be prepared to pack their “alarm suitcase” in the shortest possible time. It contains all important documents, essentials, water and food. In case of a blackout, it is also important for any family to have a reserve of cash. After missile attacks, it will become difficult to obtain hryvnia from ATMs, and stores will also stop counting customers using their bank cards.

Ukrainians’ homes must have a supply of water, and technical water in buckets, plastic barrels and bottles is stored separately from drinking water. From food products, it is now preferable to purchase those that do not spoil immediately: cereals, canned food, vegetables in small quantities, sunflower oil, tea, sugar, energy bars, chocolate, instant cereals and pasta, crackers, nuts and bread.

Ukrainians are advised to fill empty spaces in the refrigerator with bottles of water. When the electricity supply stops, it is better to put the food next to these bottles: the frozen water will be able to remain cold for some time and protect the food. Even during power outages during frosty periods, power banks, flashlights and especially phones should be charged.