Zelenskyy warns that in case of Russian attacks on Ukraine's power systems, there will be retaliatory strikes
Ukrenergo is ready for all possible scenarios, taking into account military intelligence data on Russia's plans
Ukraine will respond to Russia's attacks on its energy infrastructure, not just defend itself, as it has done in the past, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.
"We are preparing for terrorist attacks on energy infrastructure. This year we will not only defend ourselves, but also respond. The enemy is well aware of this. First, they removed the fleet from Crimea, and now they are moving their aircraft away from our borders," he wrote.
Earlier, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov made the same statement. He said that the military has developed a program of "deterrence and retaliation" to counter possible Russian strikes on energy facilities in the fall and winter.
"Let them start. They will also get a response," he warned.
On the night of October 25, Russia attacked the area near the Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine's Energy Ministry reported. As a result, power lines were damaged, as well as windows in the administrative and laboratory buildings. 1860 consumers in the towns of Slavuta and Netishyn, Khmelnytsky region, were left without electricity.
A few days ago, DTEK's thermal power plant was hit.
Last fall and winter, Russian troops carried out regular massive shelling of Ukraine's energy system. This led to a shortage of electricity generation and problems with distribution between regions. Emergency and scheduled blackouts were introduced across the country.
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko emphasized that Ukraine has taken this experience into account and adapted to the difficult conditions.
"The system is ready. We have gained useful experience on how to keep the power system operating under attack," he said.
Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, CEO of Ukrenergo, also noted that attacks will no longer take power engineers by surprise. According to him, the company is ready for any possible scenario, taking into account military intelligence data on Russia's plans.
Response measures have been developed, and close cooperation with the Defense Forces and local authorities is underway, he emphasized.
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