I see the increased cost as more of a penalty against decades of our own bad planning, in relation to energy independence, and red tape preventing renewable schemes which could have greatly lessened the impact. We should have been quicker with this, even just for the green aspects, but now we're paying for the same mistake in a different way.
It's certainly not Ukraine's fault, so they should not be paying the ultimate price, for other failures. It's our own fault, as well as others reliant on oil and gas, along with Putin's of course. Then a cost of this can also be attributed to the lessening of demand during covid, which then of course will lead to increased demand after (which increases prices).
It was always inevitable that we would have an issue at some point, with Gas and Oil, or both (which jacks up electricity cost too), as generally, we get them from some pretty dodgy places. We're like drug addicts now, and we've got to get off it at some point.
The penalty doesn't need to fall onto the poor though, we have other mechanisms where this could quite easily be covered by taking/ taxing from those companies profiting from it, or taxing those individuals who won't even notice the cost increase.
I don't mind paying the increased rates if we learn from this mistake and actually do something about it, but don't confuse that with me thinking the poorest should have to pay £300-£500 a month, as they certainly shouldn't, and certainly can't.
If we cut demand, the price will come down, and everyone can cut their demand quite significantly, probably without much hardship and this will lessen the monthly cost. The Tories aren't even mentioning this though, as their entire political campaign is in the shitter. The whole EU is taking measures to cut demand, why aren't we doing our bit?
Putin's whole strategy relies on the EU buckling over winter, when it really doesn't have to. It's not going to be great far from it, but we should be able to ensure everyone can get through it, and then Putin will pretty much have to give in.
Don't let the bully win, it won't stop him from bullying, and he'll likely keep upping the ante.
If people go cold, it won't be because of Putin, it will be because we've not redistributed wealth adequately or helped those most in need enough, and we all know who is to blame for that.