Main points
- Ukrainian energy workers are working under constant attacks, which leads to the loss of specialists.
- The intensity of the attacks forced improved coordination, moving crews from region to region to support and restore energy infrastructure.
The situation in Ukraine's energy system is extremely complex. Repairs are constantly underway. However, the intensity of enemy attacks is enormous.
Ukrainian energy specialists work extremely quickly. Director of the Energy Research Center Oleksandr Kharchenko told Channel 24 that Ukraine is currently losing many specialists, particularly during their work.
How do energy engineers work?
Oleksandr Kharchenko emphasized that nowhere in the world is the energy supply restored so quickly. The same applies to heating and generation. At the same time, attacks occur every 7-10 days, and since December there has not been a single day without shelling in Kyiv. There are both ballistic missiles and drones that are focused on attacking critical infrastructure.
There are a lot of damages. This applies to Kyiv, Odessa, Dnipro, and Kryvyi Rih regions. For the most part, the damage is not critical, but “a thousand cuts” are physically difficult to repair.
We really started losing people. Because of fatigue, because of illness. This also happens during work. Sometimes people work 2-3 shifts a day. Then 5-6 hours of sleep. And back to work. It's really exhausting,
– explained the energy expert.
According to him, the intensity of attacks on specific regions, unfortunately, caught the Ukrainian energy sector somewhat by surprise. The winter of 2024-2025 was calm, as was the summer. Ukraine successfully resisted the attacks of that time.
After that, they came up with a tactic of attacks on specific regions. This brought us significant problems in the short term. But we will cope with it. Now coordination has improved significantly. Brigades are moving from region to region. Lviv and Odessa residents are working in the Kyiv region. Kryvyi Rih was prepared for the heating season from virtually all of Ukraine,
– said Kharchenko.
In general, there are enough people if you have time to quickly move them to the regions under attack. Each region needs reinforcements. It will not stand if you do not help with additional emergency teams. When they arrive, the situation changes for the better.
Which energy professionals has Ukraine recently lost?
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On Wednesday, January 21, former head of Ukrenergo Oleksiy Brecht died. The tragedy occurred while performing his professional duties – from an electric shock at one of the company's substations.
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Now, former Ukrenergo head Oleksiy Brecht is being asked to be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine on the presidential petition website. The petition states that he died while performing tasks “on the battlefield” for electricity.
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On January 25, a rescuer and climber of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Oleksandr Pytaychuk, died at one of the energy facilities in Kyiv. During emergency and restoration work, he fell from a height of 20 meters. As a result of the fall, he suffered fatal injuries.