Ukraine has prepared three levels of protection against Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure

Protecting energy facilities is one of the top priorities for Ukraine during the upcoming winter season. Following Russia’s energy terror and massive attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure since the autumn of 2022, the Government and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have taken action to protect these vital assets.

In particular, Ukraine has developed different levels of protection for its energy system, reported the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

The first level of protection involves the construction of gabions and sandbags that can protect from debris caused by drones and missiles. The Agency for Restoration is currently safeguarding 90 facilities across 21 regions in this way.

The second level of protection consists of concrete structures erected around the Ukrenergo (Ukrainian National Power Company) primary network. 22 substations and 63 autotransformers in 14 regions have been protected from direct Russian air attacks, including UAVs and missiles.

Furthermore, the third level of protection is developed against Russian missile attacks. The Agency is actively defending 22 substations in 14 regions from direct enemy missile hits.

Read more: Ukraine has prepared protection for energy facilities against probable Russian attacks this winter.

Throughout the autumn and winter of 2022/2023, Russian forces launched numerous missile and drone attacks on energy facilities across Ukraine, intending to cause a complete blackout. In total, in 2022, Russian shellings damaged about 270 energy facilities across Ukraine, which is equivalent to 50% of the entire Ukrainian energy system.

Despite this, Ukraine managed to partially restore its energy capabilities and even resume electricity export in warmer months. Currently, the work is ongoing to rebuild the damaged critical infrastructure.

This year, Russia is likely to resume its terror tactics, stockpiling missiles for new massive strikes. “We note the readiness of more than 800 missiles to be used by the enemy for energy terror,” stated Nataliia Humeniuk, Head of the United Coordinating Press Center of Defence Forces of the South of Ukraine, on November 16, 2023.