Left In The Dark: Ukrainians Facing Another Cold Winter As Russia Targets Energy Infrastructure

By Ulviyya Asadzade and RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service

For each of the past three winters, Maria Morozova, her husband, and their daughter have prepared for tough conditions in eastern Ukraine created by Russia’s war on its neighbor. But this year, they’re bracing for the worst.

Moscow’s campaign targeting energy infrastructure — especially electricity production and an electrical grid that is battling to deliver power to millions of Ukrainians — has knocked much of the country’s power suppliers offline.

Ukraine’s Energy Ministry said in October that generation capacity was around 17.6 gigawatts (GW), which is less than half the 38 GW before the war broke out in February 2022. And a cold winter, which is expected this year, could put consumption needs at around 18 GW.

“Luckily, we still ha