Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure at the Heart of the War

Ukraine is facing an energy war led by Russia, with attacks targeting its critical infrastructure, requiring massive international assistance to rebuild and secure its network before winter.

Share:

Guerre énergétique en Ukraine

Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is under systematic attack from Russia, exacerbating the country’s energy crisis. Since the start of the offensive on the Kharkiv region in May, Russian missiles have been raining down on these strategic installations, causing massive destruction. These attacks aim to weaken Ukraine by plunging its population into darkness and cold.

An Energy War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently declared that “half” of the country’s power generation capacity had been destroyed since last winter. This situation has led to restrictions on electricity supplies, severely affecting the daily lives of Ukrainians. Maksym Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, the main Ukrainian energy operator, describes the situation as an “energy war”.
Discussions at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in Berlin highlighted the colossal challenges facing the country. Rebuilding “50%” of the destroyed energy capacity is necessary to get Ukraine through the winter, according to Timchenko. Repeated attacks on recently repaired infrastructures complicate the task, requiring a strong international response.

International Response

The European Union has announced loans worth over €1 billion to help rebuild critical infrastructure. In addition, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has sent hundreds of electricity generators to Ukraine to help cope with the power cuts.
However, Achim Steiner, head of the UNDP, warns of the difficulties for the population of living without light and heating. This Russian strategy is seen as a “form of psychological warfare”, aimed at demoralizing the Ukrainian population.

The Challenges of Reconstruction

Despite international aid, the challenges are immense. Constant attacks make rebuilding energy infrastructures extremely difficult. “If the strikes completely destroy our energy infrastructure, it will be very difficult to achieve any success on the ground,” says Timchenko. He also points out that repairing infrastructure without protecting it from air strikes would be a waste of money and time.
Ukrainian leaders are therefore asking for more military aid to protect these facilities. The idea of investing in renewable energies, such as solar and wind power, is also beginning to emerge as a long-term solution, less vulnerable to missile attack.

Outlook for the future

Ukrainian state operator Ukrenergo has announced that it will impose further electricity rationing on residents due to the growing impact of the attacks on the energy system. Energy security and the restoration of Ukraine’s power grid are among the ten points of Zelensky’s peace plan, which will be discussed at a summit in Switzerland on June 15-16.
Ukraine, supported by its international allies, continues to resist this energy war. Efforts to rebuild and protect the power grid are essential to ensure the country’s survival in the face of Russian aggression. Initiatives to develop a resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure are crucial to Ukraine’s future.

Several international agencies have echoed warnings by Teresa Ribera, Vice-President of the European Commission, about commercial risks related to Chinese competition, emphasizing the EU's refusal to engage in a price war.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development lends €400 million to JSC Energocom to diversify Moldova's gas and electricity supply, historically dependent on Russian imports via Ukraine.
BRICS adopt a joint financial framework aimed at supporting emerging economies while criticizing European carbon border tax mechanisms, deemed discriminatory and risky for their strategic trade relations.
The European Commission is launching an alliance with member states and industrial players to secure the supply of critical chemicals, amid growing competition from the United States and China.
Trade between Russia and Saudi Arabia grew by over 60% in 2024 to surpass USD 3.8 billion, according to Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, who outlined new avenues for industrial cooperation.
Meeting in Rio, BRICS nations urge global energy market stability, openly condemning Western sanctions and tariff mechanisms in a tense economic and geopolitical context.
Despite strong ties, Iran's dependence on oil revenues limits its ability to secure substantial strategic support from Russia and China amid current international and regional crises, according to several experts.
Egypt’s Electricity Minister engages in new talks with Envision Group, Windey, LONGi, China Energy, PowerChina, and ToNGWEI to boost local industry and attract investments in renewable energy.
The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz places Gulf producers under intense pressure, highlighting their diplomatic and logistical limitations as a blockage threatens 20 million daily barrels of hydrocarbons destined for global markets.
Budapest and Bratislava jointly reject the European Commission's proposal to ban Russian energy supplies, highlighting significant economic risks and a direct threat to their energy security, days ahead of a key meeting.
Libya officially contests Greece's allocation of offshore oil permits, exacerbating regional tensions over disputed maritime areas south of Crete, rich in hydrocarbons and contested by several Mediterranean states.
Hungary, supported by Slovakia, strongly expresses opposition to the European Commission's plan to phase out imports of Russian energy resources, citing major economic and energy impacts for Central Europe.
Israeli military strikes on Iran's Natanz nuclear site destroyed critical electrical infrastructure but did not reach strategic underground facilities, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The French president travels to Nuuk on 15 June to support Greenlandic sovereignty, review energy projects and respond to recent US pressure, according to the Élysée.
Kazakhstan has selected Rosatom and China National Nuclear Corporation to build two nuclear power plants totaling 2.4 GW, a decision following a favorable referendum and coinciding with Xi Jinping’s upcoming strategic visit.
Israeli strikes against Iranian nuclear sites disrupt US-Iranian talks on the nuclear deal. Tehran now considers canceling the upcoming negotiation round in Oman, heightening regional economic concerns.
Facing alarming breaches of uranium enrichment thresholds by Iran and explicit existential threats, Israel launches targeted military strikes against Iranian nuclear infrastructure, escalating regional tensions dramatically.
The Kremlin has confirmed that Vladimir Putin aims to help resolve the nuclear dispute between the United States and Iran, leveraging strengthened strategic ties with Tehran.
President Lee Jae-myung adopts an energy diplomacy rooted in national interest, amid a complex international landscape of rivalries that could create challenging situations for the country and its energy businesses.
Paris and Warsaw held a bilateral workshop in Warsaw to strengthen coordination on electricity infrastructure investments and supply security under the Nancy Treaty.