Public Story
Ukrainians’ countryside getaways have become off-grid safe havens from Russian attacks
Ukrainians’ countryside getaways have become off-grid safe havens from Russian attacks
Viktor Balovniev, 76, and his wife Liudmyla Balovnieva, 75, have made their cottage in the countryside outside Lviv completely self-sufficient, and protected from potential power cuts in the city. They grow their own food and make their own wine. They have a freezer full of meat and a basement loaded with jars of preserves. Ms. Balovnieva cooks on a wood stove in the couple’s tiny kitchen and the cottage’s two fireplaces provide more than enough heat. Mr. Balovniev heads into the forest two or three times a day to gather wood. “We’ve been through five winters here,” he said. They are among many people in Ukraine who have found places in the country to take shelter if the winter becomes unbearable because of Russia’s campaign to destroy electricity, heating and water services.
3 November 2022, Ukraine.
On assignment for The Globe&Mail
