Zelenskyy holds Staff meeting focused on energy and infrastructure protection
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. It focused mainly on the energy situation and the protection of Ukrainian infrastructure from Russian attacks, according to the President.
Zelenskyy stressed that the biggest challenges are currently in border and frontline regions. He said Ukraine is preparing "a full range of responses" to Russia's terror campaign against its energy system.
"The closer the positions of the Russian army, the greater the challenges. We are preparing a full range of responses — including scaling up our long-range responses to Russia's terror against Ukraine’s infrastructure," the President said.
Restoration in communities
There were also reports on reconstruction efforts in communities affected by Russian strikes and defined parameters for expanding Ukraine's energy reserves. The country has specific agreements with European partners to receive equipment, and the Foreign Ministry has been instructed to step up efforts in this area.
Special attention was given to the gas sector. Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is accumulating gas for the heating season and carrying out necessary repair works.
"The sources of financing for the purchase of the required gas volumes have been clearly determined, and a significant portion of the financial generation has already been secured," Zelenskyy said, thanking Ukrainian gas workers for their efforts.
Strengthening air defense
The meeting also addressed strengthening the protection of energy facilities from air attacks. Discussions covered bolstering combat aviation, acquiring additional helicopters, and agreements to purchase air defense systems. The President instructed relevant agencies to prepare the necessary documents for agreements with the United States as soon as possible.
"It’s crucial to work through every detail of these potential agreements on paper now, so that we can expedite negotiations," he emphasized.
Strikes on the energy sector
Since the beginning of autumn, Russia has launched a new wave of attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The main targets have been combined heat and power plants, thermal power plants, and other energy facilities. Chernihiv and Sumy regions were under attack. It caused widespread blackouts and the introduction of power outages.
Today, it was reported that Ukraine will receive Patriot air defense systems every year. According to Zelenskyy, a relevant contract is being prepared.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Vadym Skibitskyi said that any energy ceasefire with Russia should be discussed as part of a broader ceasefire, since the energy sector is closely linked to other areas of the economy.
Read more about Russia's new strike tactics in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
