Despite Kyiv’s blackout, doctors in Ukraine performed open-heart surgery on a 14-year-old boy.
Russian missiles rained down on the Ukrainian capital city when the Kyiv Heart Institute unexpectedly lost light, power, and water. Hospital staff jumped into action and started a backup generator to keep the support system running. The surgeons continued to operate, using only the lights from their phones and headlamps. Despite the difficulties, the surgery was successful, and the patient’s prognosis was good.
The blackout happened amid heavy Russian bombardment in Ukraine that cut electricity and water across the capital and other parts of the country. Since October, Russia has openly acknowledged it is targeting Ukraine’s civil power and heat systems with long-range missiles and drones. The goal is to reduce the country’s ability to fight and push it to negotiate.