Europe, NATO should prepare for Russian strikes on power grid, Ukraine energy CEO warns
"Learn from us and don't underestimate the threat coming from Russia," Maksym Timchenko, the head of DTEK, said.
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Dominic Culverwell
Business ReporterDominic is the business reporter for the Kyiv Independent, reporting on Ukrainian companies, investment, energy, corruption, and reforms. Based in Kyiv, Dominic joined the Kyiv Independent team in 2023, having previously worked as a freelancer. He has written articles for a number of publications, including the Financial Times, bne IntelliNews, Radio Free Europe/Liberty, Euronews and New Eastern Europe. Previously, Dominic worked with StopFake as a disinformation expert, debunking Russian fake news in Europe.
Articles
Ukraine moves its power grid underground to shield it from Russian attacks
So far, Ukraine has secured one substation in an underground concrete bunker with a second one underway, Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s state-grid operator, told the Kyiv Independent.
Exclusive: Russia’s worst attack on substations halves Ukraine’s nuclear power output
Russia launched its worst-ever attack on Ukraine's nuclear-connected substations on Feb. 7, cutting the volume of electricity generated by the country's nuclear power by around 50%, Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of Ukrenergo, the state grid operator, told the Kyiv Independent.
Kyiv eases draft rules for some energy workers as Russian attacks deepen crisis
The government has allowed companies that manufacture and repair transformer equipment to retain 100% of their draft-eligible employees, Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on Feb. 5.
As Ukrainians freeze, donated energy equipment sits unused
Critical energy generation equipment donated by Ukraine's partners has been left idle and unconnected to the grid for years, as Russian attacks cripple the country's energy system during its coldest winter in decades.
Russia has plunged Ukraine into a catastrophic energy crisis, damaging around 8.5 gigawatts of generation capacity since October 2025 through relentless attacks on power plants, leaving citizens freezing in unheated and dark homes.
To survive, Ukraine says it needs $1 billion wor
US says 3 Ukraine investment projects achievable in 2026 under joint fund
The U.S. believes launching three projects under a joint U.S.-Ukrainian investment fund created under the so-called minerals deal last year is achievable, but ambitious, a senior U.S. official told reporters on Feb. 2.
Zelensky optimistic $800 billion US prosperity plan will be signed after Davos delay
Describing the plan, which was first floated in December, as a "bundle of documents," President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expects progress to be made in the future.
'A place for real investment and recovery' — Ukraine House Davos 2026 sees key investment deals
As temperatures in Ukraine plummeted to -18C (-0.4F), leaving businesses fighting for survival without power and heating, world leaders and business chiefs congregated in the much milder Davos, the Swiss ski resort home to the World Economic Forum.
Among them is Ulyana Khromyak, the head of Ukraine House Davos since 2023, representing Ukrainian businesses to the thousands of global figures in attendance. Her mission is to bring capital into Ukraine now and show the world that Ukraine is brimmin
Top Ukrainian energy official killed at electrical substation
Top Ukrainian energy worker Oleksii Brekht was killed while on the job, after reportedly being electrocuted at a substation.
Ukraine attracts 200 million euros for its recovery via infrastructure investment fund at Davos
The Amber Dragon Ukraine Infrastructure Fund is the first dedicated to modernizing and rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure.
'We're getting to the fun' — Minerals deal to see first investments in 3-6 months
Ukrainian companies have submitted the first projects to the minerals deal fund, with initial investments expected to arrive in the next three to six months, said panelists at Ukraine House Davos’ "Partners in Prosperity" event during the World Economic Forum on Jan. 20.
Kyiv-based investment firm secures 150 million euros for Ukraine's urgent recovery
Among the fund’s investors are the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which committed 30 million euros, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which invested 50 million euros.
Russia targets nuclear power plant substations, thousands in Kyiv without power, water
At least one person in Kyiv has been injured, local authorities reported. Ukraine's Air Force has warned that Russian ballistic missiles are targeting multiple regions, including the capital.
Zelensky picks a fight with Kyiv Mayor Klitschko as mismanagement, Russian attacks push city to the brink
Ukraine's capital Kyiv, home to over 3 million people, has rarely been prepared for winter.
Frozen, icy sidewalks, bursting pipes, and year-long infrastructure collapse have been a key feature of the city under Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Now, following Russia’s Jan. 9 attack, Kyiv has been pushed into a humanitarian crisis, leaving residents without heating, hot water, and electricity through the coldest winter in years.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has been open about who he holds to blame. Zel
Russia’s “all in” attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid | Ukraine This Week
In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, the Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur breaks down Russia’s intensified winter assault on Ukraine’s energy grid, as sustained missile and drone strikes push the system to the brink.
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