Russian attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure continue to disrupt daily life across the country. Many towns, villages, and cities struggle with long power outages and water shortages. Even further from the front line, Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, suffers from frequent drone and missile attacks.

Ukrainians have learned to adapt, keeping emergency supplies at home and preparing for unexpected disruptions.

This Ukrainian survival kit introduces useful vocabulary for these everyday realities of wartime life, with illustrations and audio to help you learn and pronounce the words.

Світло — Light and Electricity

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure can leave people without electricity for many hours, sometimes longer than they have power.

That’s why flashlights, batteries, and candles have become household essentials. Portable power stations store electricity to keep devices running, while fuel-powered generators help businesses and buildings maintain essential services during blackouts.

світло — light
ліхтарик — flashlight
батарейки — batteries
сірники — matches
генератор — generator
зарядна станція — charging station
свічка — candle

Гігієна — Hygiene

When water supplies are disrupted, even brushing your teeth can become a challenge.

Many Ukrainian households keep separate reserves of ПИТНА (drinking water), safe for consumption, and ТЕХНІЧНА ВОДА (utility water), used for cleaning.

Our Ukrainian survival kit also includes familiar hygiene essentials. ВОЛОГІ СЕРВЕТКИ (wet wipes) and АНТИСЕПТИК (hand sanitizer) are especially useful when running water is unavailable.

гігієна — hygiene
технічна вода — utility water
мило — soap
питна вода — drinking water
вологі серветки — wet wipes
туалетний папір — toilet paper
зубна щітка — toothbrush
зубна паста — toothpaste
антисептик — hand sanitizer

Wondering how you can help Ukrainians during the war? Check out our 6 practical ways to support Ukraine.

Перша медична допомога — First Aid

A well-stocked АПТЕЧКА (first aid kit) is particularly important during wartime. It usually contains basic supplies such as bandages, plasters, painkillers, and other medical essentials.

One item deserves special attention: ТУРНІКЕТ (tourniquet). It can save lives by stopping severe bleeding from an injured arm or leg before medical help arrives.

In Ukraine, a reliable tourniquet has become one of the most valuable gifts someone can receive. Learning how to use it correctly is just as important.

перша медична допомога — first aid
аптечка — first aid kit
бинт — bandage
вата — cotton wool
пластир — band-aid
турнікет — tourniquet
ножиці — scissors
йод — iodine
ліки — medication
термометр — thermometer
знеболювальне — painkiller

Even a few kind words can mean a lot during difficult times. Learn useful Ukrainian phrases to express support to your friends and loved ones, with audio to help you practice.

Укриття — Shelter

УКРИТТЯ (shelter) is a word every Ukrainian knows well. Air raid alerts can last for hours, forcing people to seek protection at any time of day or night.

In Kyiv and Kharkiv, underground metro stations often serve as public shelters. Some basements and underground parking are also designated for this purpose.

At home, an interior bathroom away from windows may offer limited protection if there is no time to reach a shelter.

укриття — shelter
ванна кімната — bathroom
підземний паркінг — underground parking
метро — metro
підземний перехід — underpass
підвал — basement

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We hope this collection helps you understand our realities a little better while expanding your Ukrainian vocabulary.

Want to learn more about the language of wartime Ukraine? Explore our Ukrainian Wartime Vocabulary collection, featuring 15 important words with context and audio pronunciation.