War and peace: Ukrainians share their wish for 2026; hope for ‘hell’ to end

Ukraine marks its fourth year New Year since Russia’s offensive. Wishing peace at the commencement of 2026, Ukrainians express the “hell” their life has become due to attacks and power cuts.Strikes on energy grids in Ukraine intensified during the winter of 2025, leaving over 2,600 residences without power in the sub-zero temperatures in the Kyiv region alone. AFP reported in the Kyiv suburb of Vyshhorod, a four-day blackout ended just in time before the new year. The residents shared how they wanted the war to end “as soon as possible.”“What else can we wish for? At a time like this, nothing else comes to mind,” said Kostiantyn Biden, a local ceiling fitter. He shares that his building was left without power and water during the blackout.Strikes from Russia have pounded Ukraine almost daily. Drones and missile attacks have been falling on Russia’s neighbouring country since the full-scale invasion in February 2022.A local beauty salon staff in Vyshhorod shared the “hell” she is going through with her staff working in a shelter amid the power outages. Daria Lushchyk, the manager at the salon, shares that the clients are still coming in regardless of the unstable conditions.“Everyone has somehow adapted and understands that stopping is absolutely not an option,” she said. “Nothing can stop our Ukrainian girls from coming in and getting themselves glam,” she added, sharing the great spirit she had witnessed.She further goes on to share her wish for the New Year 2026, “Of course, peace,” she said, adding she does not find it wise to say wishes out loud, “or they might not come true.”Pensioner Neonila said Ukrainians had learned to live with recurring power outages, relying on candlelight and mobile phone flashlights. Yet, she admitted the New Year brought her little sense of celebration.“We’ll mark it quietly at home, without any extravagance,” she said.In Vyshgorod, authorities established so-called “resilience centres” during the blackout, allowing residents to charge their phones and access basic services.The town has also endured heavy bombardment. Longtime resident Ivan Oleksiiovych described the attacks to AFP as senseless, calling them “stupid.”Neonila said she was reluctant to make plans for 2026. She had few wishes for next year.“That there be light,” she said. “Everything else will follow.”Russia, however, has denied targeting civilians. It has called its invasion a “special military operation” aimed at preventing the expansion of NATO. Kyiv and its allies have called the war aim a lie.