Uneasy calm grips Ukraine as West prepares winter aid

By JAMEY KEATEN
Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — An uneasy calm is hanging over Kyiv as residents of the Ukrainian capital prepare for Russian missile attacks as winter approaches. To ease the hardships, NATO allies planned Tuesday to boost provisions of blankets, generators and other basic necessities. The allies want to make sure Ukraine’s 43 million people can maintain their resolve in the 10th month of fighting. Targeted Russian strikes since Oct. 10 have battered Ukraine’s power grid in what Western officials describe as a campaign to weaponize the coming winter cold. The country’s electricity grid operator says about a third of Ukraine’s residents continue to face power supply disruptions. Ukraine’s first lady implored the West to retain the steadfastness that Ukrainians had shown against Russia’s military campaign.