Ukraine's energy winter scenario worsens after new Russian strikes

Russian strikes on thermal power plants (TPP) that were supposed to operate in winter have somewhat degraded winter scenarios forecasted by Ukraine's state-owned electricity transmission operator Ukrenergo, but the company does not assess the situation as critical.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine, citing Vitalii Zaichenko, Chairman of the Management Board of Ukrenergo, commenting for Enerhoreforma

Details: "It is already worse at the current moment, because there are hits on TPPs that were supposed to be ready for winter. Yes, slightly worse than forecast, but not critical," he said on the sidelines of the Energy of Business 2026 forum.

Zaichenko called on the population and businesses to continue preparing their own energy supply sources in case of grid disruptions. He also advised businesses to optimise electricity consumption in order to operate more efficiently during restrictions.

At the same event, the head of Ukrenergo said that the attack on 14 October was one of the most massive against the company's facilities since the start of the full-scale war. Electrical substations became the primary targets and the primary challenge for the operator is their rapid restoration.

Background: On the morning of 16 October, following a Russian attack, new power outages were recorded in Kyiv and eight regions. In parts of the regions, hourly power cuts of up to two queues are planned until the end of the day.

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