Keeping Ukraine from freezing this winter

west of Kyiv, Makariv still wears the scars of the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In a bombed-out community centre in the middle of town, its façade blown off by an artillery strike, a local choir sings an Orthodox hymn. Misha, a boy of six, tours the wreckage of his old kindergarten, its floors lined with debris and scattered toys. Charred apartment blocks surround the scene. New problems compound old ones. Since early October, have struck targets near Makariv, including an electric substation, triggering blackouts. Russia resumed its attacks on October 31st, firing more than 50 cruise missiles against Ukraine. Makariv, like the rest of the country, is bracing for winter. The Russian attacks have become less effective. Thanks to new weapons supplies, Ukraine’s army says that it has in recent days been able to shoot down all but a few of the missiles and Shahed-136 drones used by Russia. But the damage has been significant.