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Watch: Frozen river hosts dance party in Kyiv

created: Jan. 31, 2026, 2:45 p.m. | updated: Feb. 4, 2026, 3:40 a.m.

Russia's relentless attacks have crippled Ukraine's energy system and even though Moscow has agreed to pause its attacks until 1 February, the country's electricity grid is still under greater pressure. The blackouts come amidst a biting winter - with temperatures expected to drop as low as minus 30C in the next few days. And yet in a display of a remarkable resilience, some residents in Kyiv who have no heating and power at home have decided to throw a party on the frozen Dnipro river. The BBC's Abdujalil Abdurasulov spoke to locals who he said had gathered to send a message to the world, that "despite everything, Ukrainians are still standing strong". Camera: Dmytro Vlasov.

1 week ago: BBC News