For the past week and a half, Russia has been attacking Ukraine with rockets and drones every day. Projectiles also hit the capital Kyiv several times, killing dozens of civilians across the country. With this new wave of attacks, Moscow is particularly targeting the neighboring country’s critical infrastructure. Some questions and answers on the situation in Ukraine:
Ukraine does not rule out longer-term energy problems following massive Russian airstrikes on power plants and other infrastructure. “We may well be faced with a situation where we will be without water, light and heat for weeks or even months, or with major restrictions,” said adviser at the President’s Office in Kyiv, Oleksiy Arestovych. But he was sure that the Ukrainians would overcome the problems.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that around 40 percent of Ukraine’s power plants had already been damaged. Again and again parts of the country are without electricity, sometimes also without water and without gas for heating. With winter approaching, this is of particular concern to people in the war-torn country.
The export of Ukrainian electricity to Europe – including Poland – was stopped days ago because of the Russian attacks and the resulting shortages in their own country. “Russia is committing energy terror against Ukraine,” according to the responsible ministry in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian utility company Ukrenergo once again called for energy saving. The reduction on Thursday was not enough, which is why the company was forced to cut power, a spokesman said. “The apocalypse didn’t happen.”
The shutdowns were necessary to stabilize the power grid. The situation will improve in the coming weeks. “Assuming there are no new rocket attacks. But we are preparing for all possible scenarios, ”emphasized the spokesman.
In Kyiv, regional governor Oleksiy Kuleba called on residents of the capital to save electricity on Friday as well. Especially in the morning, no energy-intensive devices such as heaters and washing machines should be switched on, said Kuleba. “Every kilowatt saved is a help for our power grid.”
“This is a forced step. But we are all working together on this front,” said Deputy Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Tymoshenko. Ukrainians were called upon to charge their mobile phones and power banks in good time and to have flashlights, batteries and water ready. “We do not rule out that with the onset of the Cold weather will ask for your help more often,” said Ukrenerho. In view of the sharp drop in temperatures, the heating season has now opened in Kyiv – also so that the citizens do not use the precious electricity for private heating devices.
Local public transport was also badly affected by the austerity measures. Only half of the electric buses should drive in the Poltava region, and none at all in Ternopil. In Kyiv, only 21 of the 38 e-bus lines were used regularly, and some were replaced by petrol-powered vehicles. Restaurants and bars were also asked to switch off neon signs and electronic decorations.
Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin ordered renewed massive attacks after an explosion at the Crimean Bridge on October 8. The structure connects Russia and the Black Sea Peninsula, annexed in 2014 – and is both strategically and symbolically important for Moscow. Putin blamed the Ukrainian secret service SBU for the momentous detonation and spoke of a “terrorist attack” against Russian territory. However, the SBU has never confirmed involvement.
According to the Kremlin, the current Russian attacks are retaliation for the Crimean Bridge incident and for other attacks on objects of critical Russian infrastructure that Moscow accuses Kyiv of. However, many international military observers assume that Russia’s current violent wave of attacks against Ukraine must have been planned for the long term.
Internationally, the targeted shelling of energy plants in an already war-torn country has caused horror. The European Union has pledged support to Ukraine. According to Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, the EU, together with the energy sector, is providing funds and equipment to repair Ukraine’s infrastructure – for example for damaged grids or thermal power plants.
In March, the Ukrainian electricity grid – like that of the neighboring Republic of Moldova – was connected to that of the EU. As a result, EU states can supply Ukraine with electricity at short notice. Kyiv should also be allowed to participate in the EU’s joint gas purchases. The system for this should be functional from next spring and enable lower prices through the concentrated market power of the Union.
