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Ukraine continues efforts to repair power supply after Russian attack

2025-12-16 14:19:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Ukraine's largest energy supplier is living in a permanent crisis due to Russian attacks on its network, its chief executive has told the BBC.

Much of Ukraine is suffering from long power outages as temperatures drop, and Maxim Timchenko, whose company DTEK provides power to 5.6 million Ukrainians, says the intensity of the strikes has been so frequent that there is no time to recover.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Russia knew that winter cold could become one of its most dangerous weapons.

"Every night Ukrainian parents keep their children in basements and shelters hoping that our air defenses will withstand them," he told the Dutch parliament.

As the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion approaches, Maxim Timchenko says Russia has repeatedly targeted DTEK's energy grid with "waves of drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles" and his company has struggled to cope.

Tens of thousands of people in the southern city of Odessa have been without electricity for three days this week, following a coordinated Russian attack.

"Life has been difficult, but people are very supportive of each other," says Yana, who is among those lucky enough to still have electricity. She has invited friends to her home to charge their phones.

Power outages also cut off heating and water supplies, and Yana says those still connected to the grid have offered foreigners the chance to wash or take a shower. Across Ukraine, electricity is being rationed with supplies switched on for a few hours each day.

Many Ukrainians rely on batteries and generators for their electricity supply, and the noise of generators in the capital is now more constant than air raid warnings.

Kiev resident Tetiana says the first thing she does in the morning is check her phone to find out the daily schedule for when her electricity will be turned on.

About 50% of Ukraine's energy is currently supplied by three large nuclear power plants in central and western Ukraine. But the grid that transfers that energy has been severely damaged.

DTEK operates about 10 thermal power plants, most of which are coal-fired.

One of them was recently targeted by five ballistic missiles and Mr Timchenko said some of its power plants and substations were being attacked every three or four days./CNA, translated by BBC