Before dawn in Kyiv’s Podil district, bakeries and cafés struggle to work as power cuts hit again and again. According to AP, Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid have forced businesses to rely on generators.

For small businesses, generators are costly and exhausting to run. Fuel expenses are high and schedules are unpredictable. Owners say it is now impossible to operate without backup power, especially during the harsh winter, AP reported.

According to the report, restaurants and cafés are among the hardest hit. Some have been forced to close temporarily due to lack of electricity, water, or heating. Many operate at a loss as customer numbers fall and costs rise. Despite the pressure, some businesses continue as community lifelines.