Russian forces continue their systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which has resulted in serious destruction of the country’s energy system. It should be remembered, in the spring of 2024, Russia resumed massive attacks on Ukraine’s energy system, seeking to incapacitate electric and thermal power facilities. These attacks are aimed at destroying the entire energy infrastructure in order to create a catastrophic situation beforewinter sets in, which also undermines the export of electricity to Europe and Ukraine’s economy. Russian attacks have caused significant damage to such important facilities as the Dniester, Kaniv and Kakhovka HPPs, which has further exacerbated the energy crisis.
According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), Russia launched nine waves of coordinated attacks against Ukraine’s energy system from March 22 to August 31. As a result, energy generation, transmission and distribution facilities were damaged or destroyed. These attackes disrupted water, sewerage, heating, and hot water supplies, affected the healthcare and education systems, and significantly worsened the economic situation in the country.
Thanks to the Ukrainian energy workers and the international partners’ support, Ukraine has survived the winter of 2023/2024 without power outages, but the challenges are growing. Russian attacks continue, and even more coordinated international assistance is needed to prevent further catastrophic consequences.
A top-priority for Ukraine and its international partners is to restore energy infrastructure in Ukraine. In two years, it has been raised over 4 billion US dollars for the restoration of damaged energy facilities of Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted at the G7+. This assistance is critical, especially ahead of another difficult winter, when there is a high risk of new attacks.
Italy plays an important role in restoring Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, especially in the hydropower sector. In August 2024, Italy confirmed its increased support for the restoration of Ukrainian HPPs, which were heavily damaged by Russia. Together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Italy has allocated 200 million euros for the restoration of the Dniester and Kaniv hydroelectric power plants.
In addition, Italy has donated 55 million euros for urgent restoration of energy facilities, including the supply of equipment for the destroyed plants. This assistance has helped stabilize the Ukrainian energy system despite ongoing Russian attacks. Italy is also actively involved in international coordination efforts to protect the Ukrainian energy system. Together with other G7+ countries, Italy supports initiatives to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense to protect energy facilities from further attacks.
Kyiv is actively preparing for the second Peace Summit, where one of the key issues is to ensure energy security for Ukraine and Europe. This includes the Ukrainian energy system integrationwith the European one and the involvement of international partners to improve the resilience of Ukraine’s energy sector in the face of constant Russia’s threats.
Restoration of energy infrastructure in the face of constant attacksis an unprecedented challenge for Ukraine. International support, including financial aid and equipment, remains key to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and strengthen Europe’s energy security. It is very important to continue using frozen Russian assets and to increase international assistance to protect Ukraine and stabilize the region. The world should unite to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons to destroy military targets used by Russia to launch missiles and drones against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and peaceful cities.
