// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
As freezing winter approaches, Kyiv residents look for shelter elsewhere
Watch: Olena explains what she cannot live near in order to stay safe
As Russia's attacks on Ukraine's cities intensify and autumn's cooler temperatures hint at another tough winter to come, Ukrainians are wrestling with how to meet the twin challenges ahead: Russian drone and missile strikes and the biting cold.
"It was a very difficult winter last year in Kyiv," says mother of two Mariia Shostak, who is now packing her bags and leaving her small flat.
With prolonged periods of sub-zero temperatures and frequent power cuts brought about by Russia's attack on the country's power grid, last winter was one of the hardest so far.
"There were some days and weeks that were unbearable. I started thinking I'm not going through another winter like this."
Mariia is not even waiting for winter. Russia's latest assaults on the capital have forced her hand.
"Everything changed in late August and the beginning of September, when Kyiv started being attacked around the clock," she said.
"Earlier, the drones and missiles were intercepted somewhere on the outskirts. Now it was happening in the centre, right above our heads."
Wreckage from Russian drones can be found on the streets of the capital
After weeks of escalating Russian attacks, which by the end of September had included petrol stations, power plants and key bridges over the Dnipro river, Kyiv mayor Vitaly Klitschko said the city was facing a "very dramatic situation".