air pollution
The severest cold reaches the nations on the continent. In many places across the former USSR, results vary. Countries such as Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine may face the winter’s harsh impact, while Russia does not view the cold months as a problem. In Ukraine, the Russian assault significantly weakened the power grid. The Zaporizhzia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, was taken offline due to ongoing shelling and clashes around the facility.
According to Ukraine’s leadership, by late December nearly nine million people faced electricity shortages. For example, families like Yulia’s reported daily outages in western regions. Outages can last for hours, affecting those who rely on electricity for heating. Yulia noted that gas supply had not yet become a problem for them.
Moscow has warned it could cut natural gas supplies routed through Ukraine after accusing Kiev of siphoning gas passing through Ukrainian territory. If carried out, such a move could impact multiple Eastern European countries. Ukraine stopped consuming Russian gas after Moscow annexed Crimea and supported separatist movements in Donbass in 2014.
In Moldova, life has grown tougher due to inflation reaching around 35 percent and intermittent cuts in Russian gas. Citizens have resorted to using firewood to stay warm, echoing nineteenth century conditions, while others fall into debt to cover winter energy bills. Iván, a resident of the capital, describes the situation as dire. Moldova, sharing a border with Ukraine, also bears indirect consequences from the conflict. Government aid aims to alleviate some of the hardships caused by the war.
The fourth electricity price increase in a year, about 25 percent, compounds Moldova’s winter challenges. This trend was noted in late 2022 by regional observers.
— Balkan Insight (late November 2022) illustrated the energy strain.
hot exception
The situation in Russia presents a different picture. Citizens there typically do not feel exposed to cold indoors, thanks to robust central heating systems. It is common for homes and offices to maintain warm spaces, sometimes resembling small saunas, as thermostats are rarely turned down. People frequently swap heavy coats for lighter clothing indoors, even when outside temperatures drop below freezing.
Russia possesses substantial hydrocarbon reserves. As a major oil producer and the top natural gas supplier, Moscow maintains affordable heating costs for residents. For instance, the price of gas in Moscow can be around €0.01 per cubic meter, far lower than the roughly €0.74 charged in some European countries.
Media content from the Kremlin-aligned sphere has circulated on Telegram and other platforms, at times portraying Europe as facing a harsh winter. Such material often mirrors the situation in several former Soviet republics, including Moldova, and is used to shape public perception about energy security across the region.
Inside the Moscow region, residents report warm indoor conditions, with some relying on electric stoves. Window insulation remains variable, and occasional cold drafts persist despite indoor warmth. The broader narrative emphasizes a steady energy policy in Russia, contrasting sharply with the energy challenges observed in neighboring states.