Ukraine faces energy crisis amid relentless Russian attacks
Ukraine is grappling with serious energy problems resulting from continuous attacks on critical infrastructure by Russian forces. The winter season may further exacerbate the situation, leading to potential blackouts and a humanitarian crisis.
In the summer of 2024, Ukrainians once again felt the sting of a blackout. Russia has been intensively shelling energy facilities and Ukrainian energy workers have been working tirelessly to repair everything.
This situation is causing increasing concern as winter approaches. On social media platforms and TV stations, gloomy predictions are increasingly heard that in winter, electricity might be available for only five to six hours a day.
On the other hand, the European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson presented an extremely pessimistic forecast, warning the world about a possible humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine caused by a lack of electricity.
Due to the low temperatures in winter, some places in Ukraine may become uninhabitable - she admitted.
Specialists believe that electrical problems in Ukraine will continue for another two years.
Russians are deliberately targeting our country's critical infrastructure. Most attacks are aimed at distribution stations, leading to serious problems across the entire power system - said Andrej Zakrewski, Deputy Director of the Energy and Natural Resources Association.
Ukraine responds to power problems
The Ukrainian government is continuously implementing plans to mitigate the effects of Russian attacks. A strategy has been developed that includes introducing a manoeuvrable distribution system.
The developed plans for rebuilding power plants are currently being implemented, and the plants are operating roughly on schedule - Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, head of Ukrenergo, told the BBC.
Let's recall that Ukraine, due to massive Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, has lost half of its generating capacity. As recently as May, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said that losses in the energy sector exceeded one billion dollars and were still growing.
Ukraine urgently needs energy, as winter may be difficult to endure, and the risk of power outages is real.
The Institute for the Study of War reports that Russia has chosen a new type of target in Ukraine. As part of their military actions, they now plan to attack hydroelectric power plants and dams. This could lead to an ecological disaster.
