My Deaf Child Can’t Hear Putin’s Missiles - but He Can Feel Them | Firsthand

Why It Matters

Targeting energy infrastructure deepens civilian hardship, eroding economic stability and threatening vulnerable families, making immediate humanitarian and energy aid critical.

Key Takeaways

• Energy attacks cripple Odessa businesses, raising costs dramatically.
• Family relies on costly generators and gas stoves for survival.
• Deaf toddler senses war stress through vibrations, not sound.
• Community tents provide heat, electricity, and food ration distribution.
• Residents endure elevator outages, climbing 17 floors daily.

Summary

The video follows Aliona, a flower‑shop owner in Odessa, and her family as they grapple with Russia’s systematic strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid. With power outages sweeping the city, the couple’s small business and home have been forced to run on expensive diesel generators and improvised gas stoves, dramatically inflating their operating costs.

Aliona explains that a single generator costs between $800 and $1,000 per month, roughly two to three times her usual electricity bill, while the loss of heating and hot water has turned daily life into a logistical nightmare. The family also contends with a non‑functioning elevator, forcing them to climb 17 flights each day, and they must ration food and rely on community tents that distribute heat, charging stations, and basic meals.

A poignant moment comes when Aliona describes her two‑year‑old son, who is completely deaf. He cannot hear the sirens or missile strikes, but he feels the tremors and vibrations, illustrating how even children who cannot hear the war are still physically impacted. The family’s resilience is underscored by their determination to keep the shop open despite tears and exhaustion.

The story highlights the broader human cost of targeting civilian infrastructure: businesses face unsustainable expenses, vulnerable families endure heightened risk, and community networks become essential lifelines. It underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and energy solutions to sustain civilian life amid ongoing conflict.

Original Description

For many in Ukraine, the current phase of the war is the toughest yet.

Russia is pummelling the energy infrastructure, leaving people without electricity, heating and running water.

A young couple in Odesa took us to their apartment on the 17th floor - without a working lift - where they explain how Putin's missiles are affecting their home life and business.

We are also taken to a nearby heating centre, where people gather in a tent to get some warm food and charge their phones.

#Putin #Russia #Ukraine

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