Ukraine expects harsh winter with new attacks on energy system

“We are very worried” winter because here is a tremendous cold. this electric triggered and if we don’t have Incomeit will be very difficult to pay bills“, Says Andrey Muhin point out electric radiators of the store. They have no plan B other than throwing out the blankets and covering the window with plastic. His concern is shared by legions of Ukrainians in a country where almost everything ends. five million jobs flown Because of the war, according to World Labor Organization data. But the average worker’s leaky pockets are only one factor in the equation. Last Monday, Russia launched its largest-ever attack against the country’s energy infrastructure in retaliation. Vladimir Putin– For blowing up part of the strategic Kerch Bridge in Crimea. First missile salvo that continued more sporadically throughout the week.

Kyiv does not provide details on the type of facilities attacked, but said they were hacked. hit in a dozen regionsIn addition to capital, ultimately a 30% of your energy system. According to officials, tens of thousands of people were left without electricity even though supply was almost completely restored on Thursday. “Everything is not stable. Inside Krivy Rih they attacked electrical substation. This takes time. What we did was grow new transmission lines returning electricity to homes while the substation is being repaired. Our brigades haven’t even slept,” says EL PERIÓDICO, from the Prensa Ibérica group, director of Dtek Grids in Dnipro. Andrey Tereschukone of the largest distribution companies in the country.

The Ukrainian government believes Monday’s demolition is just an appetizer of what’s to come. “It is important to understand that Russian terrorists will try to use Russia. cold as a gun”, said the prime minister on Wednesday, Denys Shmyhal. “They think we’re going to give up by leaving Ukrainians without electricity for hours, but that’s not going to happen,” he said. Ukraine before the pandemic Almost twice the electricity produced consumed with four nuclear power plants and various thermal as the main production source. this surplus is exported with European Uniona stream that has been temporarily suspended since this week’s hack.

decentralized system

” ukrainian energy system lots decentralized Y diversified”, assures the former deputy and founder of the Sustainable Fund of Ukraine, Nataliya Katser-Buchkovska. “The districts have their own generation, so it’s not enough for them to demolish one substation to shut down the rest.” The authorities have foreseen austerity measures as the population reduce consumption in order not to overload the system or to troubleshoot during morning and evening rush hour Heating between 16 and 18 degreesfour less than usual, which guarantees at least one harsh wintereven behind closed doors. Anyone who knows that the Kremlin will attack again is looking for alternatives. generators a car batteries at least to be able to charge the mobile phone.

Gas is more of a concern than electricity, which feeds the earth. heating massively Soviet apartment blocks continues to dominate the landscape in many cities. Ukraine stopped imports gas in Russian After the first blow from Moscow break up their land in 2014. 60% of what you consume This own production; the rest comes from the EU at market prices. “We now have enough gaspartly because Domestic consumption decreased by 40 percent Because of the migration of refugees and the destruction of part of the industry,” says Katser-Buchkovska. “If we could get another 4 or 5 bcm we would be much better, but the price has skyrocketed so much that Ukraine can’t afford it.”

Additional gas reserves

Kyiv is seeking funding from its allies to buy more gas, given that Russia may attack its deposits or that almost half of production comes from the province. KharkovIt is near the Russian border and was recently retaken by Ukrainian forces. The director of the state gas company said without additional imports Yuri Vitrenko“will be supply cuts in large areas of Ukraine.

And the result of all this, in a country average winter temperature Around 10 degrees below zero, it can move beyond the borders of Ukraine. “If there is a gas and power outage this winter, another wave of refugees towards Europe. Up to 15 million people can be affected energy crisis, is another weapon that Putin uses to increase the burden that European countries are already carrying, ”says Katser-Buchkovska. The alternative to prevent this is to take the Ukrainian skies. anti-missile systems What does the government want? Volodymyr Zelensky.