Vladimir Putin wants to make it impossible for Ukrainians to survive winter's wrath. It's partly working

The western Ukrainian city of Lviv, along with much of the rest of the country, was plunged back into the darkness and the cold Wednesday after another devastating barrage of missile strikes fired by Russia.

Western Ukraine's energy infrastructure was already in a critical state after the launch of more than 100 missiles from Russian forces the week of Nov. 15 left transmission and distribution networks severely compromised. 

A crew from CBC News recently visited the region and witnessed the disruption the Russian onslaught has had on these communities and their people — and how winter itself could become a deadly force in the conflict. 

The cumulative impact of the strikes means that millions of Ukrainians have lost the sanctuary provided by their homes. Instead, those who have lost heat and light are increasingly turning to communal places to find comfort and companionship, a way to counter the psychological devastation of Vladimir Putin's war on their country.

In Lviv, the Pekar cafe and bakery is such a sanctuary.   

With access to an industrial-sized generator from a nearby hotel, Pekar can keep the lights on and the water running when other businesses and homes are hit by frequent rolling blackouts. 

"It's comforting to have people around you that can support you during these times," said Ira Zayats, a software developer, who told CBC News she regularly comes to the bakery on Akademika Hnatyuka Street.

"It turns a bad day into something very, very positive. It's like coming to another kind of home."

Lviv is only about 70 kilometres from the border with Poland and has never been at serious risk of Russian ground attack.

Nonetheless, the city's electrical infrastructure has been among the hardest hit by Russian missile attacks.

On its recent visit, CBC News witnessed rolling blackouts. Some lasted minutes, while others went on for hours.   

When the outages are planned, many businesses make preparations to close — but during sudden power cuts, others will continue operating in darkness.

People eat their meals in restaurants by candlelight; store clerks sit behind non-functioning registers in retail stores and accept cash-only payment until the power returns.   

Without light from street lamps or storefronts, car headlights often provide the only eerie illumination in the blackness.