Ukraine’s power system faces one of its hardest weeks since full-scale invasion

The power grid came under critical strain amid freezing temperatures and existing damage to infrastructure.

As a result of the first attack, up to 85% of consumers were simultaneously left without electricity. By the end of the week, power supply had been restored to around 60% of affected households.

More than 180 repair crews — including energy workers, utility services, and railway personnel — have been working around the clock to deal with the aftermath of the strikes. Emergency Service specialists carried out rescue and repair operations in extremely difficult conditions, including working in icy water, to restore heat-generating facilities.

The government significantly increased electricity imports and introduced simplified procedures to speed up the connection of distributed generation. Requests from businesses to install cogeneration units are being processed on an urgent basis.

The Cabinet also approved an additional bonus of UAH 20,000 ($460 USD) for energy workers, heating specialists, utility workers, and railway staff operating in hazardous conditions.

To support the population, the government expanded the network of Invincibility Points. More than 10,600 locations are now operating nationwide, each capable of functioning for up to 48 hours without interruption. 130k+ people used these facilities in just one week.

Special attention is being given to people with limited mobility. Calls to the emergency number 112 are prioritized, additional assistance points have been set up, and regular outreach visits are being conducted.

Small and medium-sized businesses will receive additional support. Sole proprietors in Groups 2 and 3 with employees will be eligible for one-time assistance ranging from UAH 7,5k to UAH 15k ($175 – $350 USD) to purchase generators, cover repairs, or buy fuel. Zero-interest loans for energy equipment are also available.

Ensuring stable communications remains a separate priority. In cooperation with mobile operators, the state is strengthening backup power supply for base stations. The government is also maintaining constant contact with agricultural producers to safeguard food security.

In addition, UAH 2.56 billion ($59.7 million USD) from the state budget’s reserve fund has been allocated for mobile power generation in oblasts with critical needs, including Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv oblasts.

International partners, meeting in the Energy Ramstein format, agreed to supply Ukraine with more than 6,000 units of large-scale energy equipment and to make additional contributions to the Energy Support Fund.