Ukraine struggling to keep lights on under Russian attack, says energy boss

Ukraine's energy infrastructure is under immense strain due to ongoing Russian attacks, leading to widespread power outages across the country. According to the head of Ukraine's largest private energy provider, DTEK, the situation is a constant crisis.

Maxim Timchenko, DTEK's chief executive, told the BBC that the intensity of Russian strikes is so frequent that his company is struggling to keep up with repairs. DTEK provides power to 5.6 million Ukrainians.

President Zelenskyy stated that Russia understands the winter cold can be a weapon. He noted that Ukrainian families are forced to seek shelter nightly, hoping for successful air defenses.

As the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion nears, Timchenko said that DTEK's facilities have been repeatedly targeted by Russian drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The scale of the damage is proving difficult to manage.

Odesa, a southern city, recently experienced three days without electricity following a coordinated Russian attack that left tens of thousands in the dark. Despite the hardships, residents are supporting each other, according to Yana, who still has power and has invited friends over to charge their devices. She also noted that those with power are offering neighbors the chance to shower or wash.

Across Ukraine, electricity is being rationed to just a few hours per day. Many citizens are relying on generators and power banks as backup power sources. In Kyiv, the sound of generators has become as common as air raid sirens.

Tetiana, a resident of Kyiv, says that the first thing she does each morning is check the power schedule. She, like many others, has invested in power banks to mitigate the impact of the outages.

Nuclear power plants supply approximately half of Ukraine's energy needs. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. the network responsible for distributing this power has sustained significant damage.

DTEK operates five power stations, primarily coal-fueled. According to Timchenko, one station was recently hit by five ballistic missiles. He also stated that some power plants and substations have been attacked every three or four days. "I don't remember a single day when I had no reports about some damage to our grid," he said.

Securing replacement parts for damaged equipment is a major challenge. DTEK previously sourced equipment domestically but now must search throughout Europe. This year, DTEK has spent $166 million on thermal power plant and coal facility repairs.

"We will not give up," Timchenko asserted. "We have a responsibility to millions of mothers to have power and heat."

DTEK's origins are in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, which has experienced the most intense fighting and power disruptions. Eight DTEK engineers have died while working to maintain power in the area. Timchenko said that they risk their lives daily to keep the power on.