Watch: Fleeing Kyiv for the countryside ahead of winter

Kyiv resident Olena Konoplia has made the decision to relocate her family to Ukraine’s countryside, driven by intensifying Russian air strikes on the capital and the impending onset of a severe winter.

Reports indicate that Russian forces have targeted Ukraine’s power grid, leaving residents across multiple cities without reliable electricity and heat for extended periods.

Olena discussed her plans with the BBC, explaining that she spent several weeks searching for an appropriate settlement before concluding on a secluded cottage nestled in a rural community approximately two hours from Kyiv’s center.

“I chose what feels like the best option—it’s a small village free of heavy industry, large storage facilities, and railway hubs,” Olena told reporters, emphasizing her desire for a quieter, safer environment away from ongoing urban conflict.”