Stas Zhuk Shares How Community Support Powered His Work Through Ukraine Blackouts

As attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure intensified in November 2025, Kremenchuk experienced frequent and extended outages. Stas described a daily cycle of limited electricity access followed by hours without power, water, or central heating. In these conditions, maintaining internet and laptop uptime became essential not only for his work but also for storing food and managing basic home needs. He traced the evolution of his setup from small powerbanks and lanterns in 2022 to more sophisticated systems acquired with the community’s help over the years. When conditions worsened again in 2024, donations from the DDEV community allowed him to purchase an EcoFlow DELTA 2 power station, enabling him to run his laptop, lighting, and display through blackouts without the hassle of multiple devices. 

Later, after a renewed wave of attacks in late 2025, he received further support that helped him buy an EcoFlow DELTA 3. With two stations, he now alternates between charging and use, keeps both his work tools and refrigerator powered, and avoids having to constantly monitor energy levels. Stas emphasized that this support has allowed him to focus on development work instead of surviving the outages alone. He expressed gratitude for the contributions, noting that they represent more than equipment. For him, they are a reminder that even during war, the open source community continues to stand by its members and help them stay connected and productive.