The resignation of Volodymyr Kudrytskyi from the position of the chairman of the board of the national company "Ukrenergo" was caused by serious problems in the execution of contracts for the protection of energy infrastructure. In 2023, the company concluded 63 agreements worth UAH 4.3 billion for the construction of protective structures at electrical substations. However, these works were not completed on time, which became one of the reasons for his dismissal.
Perhaps this is precisely why there are emergency blackouts in Ukraine, and the energy system has not been able to stabilize for more than a week after the Russian attack on energy on August 26, 2024.
On August 26, 2024, the main targets of the Russian attack were precisely the objects of the network infrastructure of Ukraine, that is, transformer substations and transmission lines, which ensure the transmission of electricity from power plants to consumers. It was for the strengthening of transformer substations that funds were spent under two programs for the construction of shelters, which were carried out by NEC "Ukrenergo" and the State Agency for Reconstruction and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (State Reconstruction). In total, the enemy used 127 missiles and 109 drones against Ukraine (102 and 99 were shot down, respectively). It was these 25 missiles and 10 drones that caused enormous damage to substations and high-voltage power lines. In addition, the enemy used rockets with a cluster warhead - which caused much more damage to the substations with small metal charges. Accordingly, it is more difficult to repair than it would be under normal shock conditions.
During 2023, NEC Ukrenergo concluded 63 similar agreements for the reconstruction of transformer substations with a total cost of UAH 4 billion 359 million 806 thousand 685 with various contractors in the regions. Tenders were not held, "Ukrenergo" independently selected contractors. This is allowed in wartime. Such data are available in the ProZorro government procurement system.
The deadline for the work was set for February 22, 2024. However, due to shelling, lack of funding and circumstances of "force majeure", none of these agreements were fully implemented. The contracts were extended several times, some already at the end of August 2024 after the Russian energy attack and in September 2024.
One agreement with "Pobudova" LLC for the construction of protection for a transformer substation for 69 million 489 thousand 315 UAH was terminated on January 31, 2024, nothing was paid for it, no work was carried out. This company is registered in Kyiv. The owner is Olena Bilokon from Donetsk region, the director is Andrii Istomin. Before Ukrenergo, they did not receive state contracts, after that they repaired 3 houses in Kyiv and Irpen.
Another agreement with Comfort Building Service LLC for 69 million 38 thousand 811 UAH was terminated on February 29, 2024, nothing was done about it and nothing was paid. Another deal is still in progress. According to the analytical platform YouControl, the company was registered in Zhytomyr in 2017 and moved to Kyiv in 2023. Director Bohdan Bilous. The owners are Bohdag Bilous from Kyiv and Oleksandr Ostapchuk from Ovruch.
Soyuz Corporation of Industrial and Commercial Enterprises has to fulfill 7 contracts (for UAH 69+ million each) for the construction of protective structures for transformer substations. In August 2024, expenses were reduced for one of the objects, but it is not known to what extent. Protection of two more transformers for 120 million 355 thousand 535 UAH "Ukrenergo" ordered the company on August 29, 2024 - already after the massive strike by the Russians. The corporation was founded in 1997. The director is Ihor Prykhodko, who in 2006-2014 was an assistant to the deputy of the Verkhovna Rada, Anatoly Kinakh. Soyuz Corporation owns 63% of Energy Supply LLC and 37% of Holding Soyuz-Consulting LLC. The ultimate owner of 83% is Alyona Prykhodko.
LLC "Seven Sea Eye" received from "Ukrenergo" 5 agreements (69+ million UAH each) for the construction of protection for substations. The company was registered in 2017 in Kyiv. The owner and manager is Natalia Deren.
4 substations for 276 million 605 thousand 748 UAH were not enough to protect "Eurocon Ukraine" LLC. The company was founded in Kyiv in 2003. The owners are Estonians Toomas Luman, Liivy Luman, and Egon Mats. The director is Yury Petryk, he also works at PJSC "Devon", which is associated with millionaire Pavel Fuchs.
4 substations worth UAH 69 million are to be protected by Intergal Systems LLC. This company was founded in 2011, registered in the city of Obukhiv, Kyiv region. The director and owner is Olena Pshets.
"Submarine Energy Plant" LLC is to build protection for 3 substations (69 million UAH each). The company was founded in 2014 and is registered in Odesa. Oleksandr Kalin is the owner and director.
3 substations for 207 million 566 thousand 937 UAH must be protected by "Real-Stroy" LLC. Previously, the company was located in the village of Rozsoshintsi in the Poltava region, now in the village of Slobozhanske near the city of Dnipro. The owner is Oleksandr Naidyonov from Kryvyi Rih. The director is Valery Gridasov.
For the same amount, 3 substations must be protected by "Mira Energo" LLC. Founded in 2018, the company is now registered in Kyiv. The owner is Nelya Rusak. The director is Mykhailo Rusak (Valentyna Bogdanova was the director until 2024).
PrJSC "Trest Zhitlobud - 1" has to protect 2 substations for UAH 69+ million each. Director - Konstantin Siukhin. The owner is Oleksandr Kharchenko, a member of the executive committee of the Kharkiv City Council and a former deputy of the Kharkiv Regional Council (2010-2015). We wrote about this company as a top contractor for the construction of fortifications in the Kharkiv region. This is the largest developer in the Kharkiv region, which also participates in the restoration of buildings after shelling.
