Left in the Cold: Ukraine’s Agricultural Losses Mount as Farmers Face Drone Attacks and Power Losses

December 15, 2025

Kyiv, Ukraine - As Ukraine enters its fourth winter of full-scale war, renewed attacks on energy infrastructure leave millions exposed and vulnerable to freezing temperatures. The destruction of energy facilities is also severely impacting Ukraine’s agricultural sector – its economic backbone and a lifeline for global food security.

Ukraine’s agricultural sector has suffered over $80 billion in direct and indirect losses since February 2022, affecting not only exports but also local food security and farmer livelihoods. Farms and grain storage facilities have been shelled, disrupting production and exports, and endangering farmers.  

Ahead of a visit to Ukraine, Tjada D’Oyen McKenna, CEO of Mercy Corps, says: 

“As winter sets in, families face freezing homes and farmers struggle to keep operations running under constant threat. When power goes out, farmers lose irrigation, cold storage, processing, and grain-drying capacity – and the ability to keep livestock fed and warm. Shelling and drone attacks have devastated farms, destroyed machinery, mined lands, and collapsed markets. Some farmers relocated; others scaled back or shut down entirely. 

“Many cannot access land due to mines, drones, or ongoing fighting. In Kherson, farmers now ‘harvest’ crashed drones, risking their lives. They use electronic‑warfare gear, drone detectors, and even shotguns to protect fields and equipment. 

“Four years into this conflict, Ukrainian resilience is extraordinary, but resilience alone cannot keep homes warm or food on the table. As temperatures plummet and attacks continue, the international community must act urgently to bring a halt to attacks on critical energy infrastructure. These attacks disproportionally impact innocent civilians, including the farmers we work with."

 

About Mercy Corps in Ukraine  
Since the full-scale war began in 2022, Mercy Corps has supported more than 950,000 war-affected people in Ukraine and neighboring countries. We have provided cash assistance; grants for micro, small and medium businesses and farming enterprises; and household, food, and hygiene kits for vulnerable people affected by the war.   

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