Ukraine introduces three-tier protection against Russian attacks at energy facilities

Ukrainian energy facilities will apply three levels of protection against Russian airstrikes.

The construction is to be completed by November, before the onset of cold weather, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the chair of the board of the Ukrenergo state electricity operator, told Radio Svoboda.

"The first level is a really simple protection from the blast wave and debris. These are mainly sand-filled or big bags, gabions, or some other simple structures that protect from indirect damage from rocket or drone hit," said the energy engineer.

Kudrytskyi reported that the second level protects against direct drone hits, and the third level is a complex defense against drones and missiles.

Sandbags remained at the facilities from last winter, and energy specialists are still working on the other two levels of protection.

"We cannot be completely, 100% safe from massive missile or drone attacks. But what can we do? We can reduce that risk to a manageable level," the chair of the Ukrenergo board said. "What really matters? The power system needs to survive the winter. It's vital that the rate at which the enemy destroys the power system does not exceed or greatly exceed the rate at which we restore it. Then the situation will be under control."

Heating season in Ukraine

In mid-August, the Ukrainian energy ministry reported that planned repairs at energy facilities were proceeding according to schedule, but the worst situation with preparations for the new heating season is in regions bordering Russia, as well as in front-line territories, which are regularly shelled by the Russian forces.

In September, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that the preparation of the energy system for the autumn-winter period was at the final stage. Later, he said that Ukraine was forming multi-level protection of energy facilities.

During the Forbes "Energy of Business" forum, Ukrenergo's Volodymyr Kudrytskyi said that protective structures were being built around major Trypillia and Zmiivka thermal plants.

Ukraine's Defense Intelligence reported that Russian intelligence was studying the state of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.