Ukraine received plans for Russian strikes on energy sector in winter — Shmyhal

Ukrainian intelligence received two documents detailing Russia's preparation for new massive attacks on energy infrastructure in the winter period. First Deputy Prime Minister — Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal stated this during a telethon broadcast.

According to him, the Russian side has identified in advance potential targets, the number of weapons, and types of armament planned to be used against the Ukrainian energy system.

"We received two documents in which the enemy described in great detail which objects, with what quantity, and with what types of weapons it will attack," Shmyhal said.

The minister did not publicly reveal the specific objects and other details of these materials. He noted that the Ukrainian side is aware of the Russian plans and uses the obtained intelligence when preparing the energy system and organizing infrastructure protection.

Shmyhal emphasized that preparations for winter are underway simultaneously in several directions: physical protection of facilities is being strengthened, stocks of equipment for quick repairs are being created, distributed generation is being deployed, and negotiations with partners on additional assistance are ongoing.

The minister had previously informed partners about Ukraine's intelligence on Russia's plans to attack the energy sector. On September 17, during a meeting of the G7+ Coordination Group on Energy, which Kyiv calls the "energy Ramstein," he stated that Ukrainian intelligence had provided information about preparations for new strikes on energy infrastructure.

At that time, Shmyhal called on partners to contribute an additional approximately 400 million euros to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, as well as to provide equipment necessary for restoring damaged facilities and getting through the winter.

In September, Ukraine also agreed with the UN Development Programme on further supplies of energy equipment. With its assistance, distributed generation capacities of more than 500 MW have already been delivered to the country, and delivery of 12 large power transformers is also expected.

Over the summer months, Kyiv and 21 other regions received more than 2.3 thousand tons of energy equipment from international partners — transformers, generators, switches and other equipment for restoring damaged infrastructure.

The Russian army regularly attacks Ukrainian power plants, substations, gas and other energy infrastructure facilities. Ukrainian authorities expect that during the heating season Russia will again try to use strikes on energy to create shortages of electricity and heat.

Based on materials from: telethon broadcast, Ukrinform