Russia resumes attacks on Ukraine's energy sector
Photo: Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko (GettyImages)
Last week, Russia resumed large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. So far, there are no threats of blackouts, but the situation may change, according to Ukraine's Energy Minister, German Galushchenko.
The Minister says that the power system is now operating in a stable mode, which is felt by consumers.
"But, of course, the situation is difficult. First of all, it is the result of unprecedented Russian attacks on the power system that took place last year and this year. Unfortunately, Russian attacks have now resumed, with large-scale attacks last week and daily attacks on relevant equipment in the frontline regions," he says.
Preparing for heating season
At the same time, Galushchenko said that Ukraine buys gas for electricity and has coal reserves. "We also have the resources and reserves of nuclear fuel to go through the next heating season without any problems."
The Minister says that the key load during the heating season will be borne by nuclear generation, which at peak times generates up to 60% of all electricity. Scheduled repairs of nuclear power plants were planned in such a way that all nine units on the territory controlled by Ukraine would operate at full capacity during the winter.
Galushchenko notes that thermal generation was largely damaged as a result of Russian attacks last year. However, the repair campaign is ongoing, and a significant part of the destroyed 10 gigawatts has been restored.
Hydropower generation is also damaged. "But we will reach the planned capacity by the beginning of the heating season," he says.
Light in winter
Galushchenko noted that as of today, there is no threat of blackouts in winter. "The resumption of massive strikes could affect the operation of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution," the Minister says.
He recalls that last year there were 33 strikes on Ukraine's energy sector, "thousands of missiles, tens of thousands of drones."
Government preparations for winter
In late May, the Cabinet of Ministers established the Headquarters for Preparation for the 2025/2026 Heating Season. It will be headed by Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery and Minister of Community and Territorial Development.
In addition, in June, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a set of measures to prepare for the heating season. These include repairs, stockpiling fuel, and preparing homes and hospitals.
