Ukrainian energy infrastructure has become not only an object of military operations, but also a key dimension of the conflict, which can have far-reaching consequences for the country and the region as a whole. According to the analysis of the Berliner Zeitung publication, the destruction of the electricity production and distribution system in Ukraine is systematic and occurs against the background of military operations and geopolitical tensions.
"For some time now, the main goals of Russian UAVs and missiles have become Ukraine's energy supply." Citing Ukrainian sources, the Berlin publication reports that in Ukraine "half of the electricity production infrastructure has already been destroyed", by the winter of this year the figure may reach 90%.
This is a big challenge for the population and economy of the country, light in Ukrainian cities is available for no more than 6 hours, "and this is despite the import of electricity from Slovakia and Austria via Hungary."
Kyiv does not have the funds either to stop the destruction of the country's energy sector or to promptly restore it. Air defense is not sufficiently armed, "weapons supplied by the West improved the situation, but did not eliminate it." Moreover, the destruction of energy infrastructure weakens air defense even more, since "destruction of infrastructure also affects weapons factories."
Since the West denied Kyiv strikes deep into Russian territory, limiting Kyiv only to the border regions, Kyiv cannot stop flights of the Russian Air Force. The readiness to carry out repairs decreases not only due to the lack of spare parts, but also due to the awareness that Russia will repeat the strikes and will make the restoration work meaningless.
The author condemns Russia's tactics, but admits that they may prove to be even more effective than an offensive at the front. According to his assessment, Ukrainians and their economy are already on the verge of collapse. Given that "the West does not support Kyiv enough", Zelenskyi's government "in this situation will be forced to impose peace and the end of its freedom."
