Russia seeks to shatter Ukraine's power grid and create energy islands — ISW
Photo: Russia is trying to disrupt Ukraine's energy system (Getty Images)
Russia is attempting to divide Ukraine's energy system and create energy islands cut off from electricity production and supply, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Threat to nuclear power plants
Analysts drew attention to statements by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russia is considering striking nuclear power plant substations.
"Russia seeks to disconnect the nuclear power plants from Ukraine’s energy grid, leaving Ukrainian civilians without electricity and heat," the HUR warns.
The ISW points out that recent strikes have already threatened nuclear power plants under Ukrainian control. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reported that over the past week (since January 12), military activity has damaged a critical power substation for the Chornobyl nuclear power plant.
In addition, IAEA teams recorded activity or air raid alerts at all five nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
In this context, analysts point out that Ukraine currently needs about 18 gigawatts of electricity to meet its domestic needs in winter, but according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine currently produces only 11 gigawatts.
"A number that would likely decrease significantly should Russian strikes disconnect one or more Ukrainian nuclear power plants from the energy grid," the experts write.
Russia seeks to disrupt Ukraine's power grid
Thus, the Institute for the Study of War continues to assess that Russia is attempting to divide Ukraine's energy system and create energy islands cut off from electricity generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
"Russian forces are striking Ukraine’s energy grid in an effort to divide it into two parts along an east-west divide," the report says.
Latest strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities
Russia is striking power substations and power lines in Ukraine daily.
On the night of January 19, Russians attacked the energy infrastructure of the Chernihiv region: five key facilities were damaged, leaving tens of thousands of consumers without power.
In Odesa, a DTEK energy facility was also severely damaged after a night attack by Russian drones. The company showed the extent of the damage.
Ukrenergo reported that over the past day, Russia had attacked energy infrastructure in several regions of Ukraine at once.
As of the morning of January 19, consumers in the Chernihiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions remain without electricity.
Recently, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that due to the large-scale consequences of Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, a decision had been made to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector.
