Russia is trying to cause a blackout in Ukraine, says Energy Minister

Russia is trying to cause a blackout in Ukraine, says Energy Minister

Russia has not abandoned its plans to disrupt Ukraine’s preparations for winter and to blackout the country with the help of shelling. However, Ukrainian power engineers are quickly coping with the consequences, and within a few days after the latest attack, the power deficit in the country may decrease.

In addition, the European Union (EU) will help Ukraine counter Russian shelling. This was stated by Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, the Ministry of Energy reports.

"Yesterday (August 26. - Ed.) we experienced one of the most massive attacks on energy infrastructure. It is obvious that the enemy does not abandon its intentions to disrupt preparations for winter and plunge Ukrainians into darkness. But our specialists are quickly eliminating the consequences of the shelling, and I hope that in the coming days we will be able to reduce the deficit in the system," Halushchenko noted.

It is noted that the Minister met with the EU Ambassador to Ukraine Kateryna Mathernova on August 27. The main topic of the talks was countering Russian energy terrorism. In particular, the parties discussed:

• ways to strengthen the protection of energy facilities and ensure the stability of the energy system in the event of massive attacks;
• increasing financial support for Ukrainian electricity transmission infrastructure and the development of distributed generation;
• deepening cooperation within the framework of the Ukraine Investment Facility (UIF) program created by the European Union;
• redoubling efforts to strengthen the Ukrainian energy sector and restore energy security for both Ukraine itself and the EU countries.

As predicted by the former Minister of Fuel and Energy, President of the All-Ukrainian Energy Assembly Ivan Plachkov, multi-hour power outages in Ukraine could last from one to two weeks. This time, according to his calculations, will be required to restore damaged distribution systems.

"The restrictions will be in effect not only today. I think for a week or two, if there are no such massive attacks," Plachkov noted. According to him, the shutdowns help stabilize the operation of the energy system in order to avoid deeper crisis situations in the future.

The expert also believes that the goal of the latest Russian attack was to create a total blackout, which could have led to a complete power outage in the country. However, thanks to the quick and professional response of the power engineers, such a scenario was avoided.