On December 25, Ukraine experienced another massive attack on its energy system. This was the 13th attack on energy facilities since the beginning of the year. Russian forces struck thermal power plants (TPPs) and important substations, causing serious damage to equipment at DTEK facilities.
In particular, there were particularly powerful strikes on the Burshtyn TPP and substations in the western regions. The Russians also attacked the Dniproenergo , the Kryvyi Rih TPP , and the Kremenchuk HPP . These attacks were not accidental - they are part of a new Russian strategy aimed at splitting Ukraine's energy system .
Experts point out that Russia is trying to cut off central, eastern, and southern parts of Ukraine from electricity supplies from Europe through the western regions. This creates a real threat of energy fragmentation in the country.
Immediately after the attack, experts began to talk about the fact that Ukraine could be on the verge of an “energy split .” Thus, the country risks being divided into two energy “islands” – the right bank, where most of the generating capacity is concentrated, and the left bank, which could “plunge into darkness.”
The consequences for the left-bank regions could be significant: due to the lack of sufficient capacity on the other side of the Dnieper, power outages could become much more severe than on the right bank.
Against the backdrop of such attacks, Ukraine needs to continue working to restore and strengthen its energy capacity , ensuring the security of its electricity supply. In the event of further attempts by the Russian Federation to split the energy system, the country will have to take additional measures to preserve the integrity of the energy network and provide electricity to all regions, including by strengthening connections with the European energy system.
Now, as Russia attempts to destabilize Ukraine through energy strikes, it is important to maintain unity not only in defending territory but also in maintaining energy stability.
