Russia tries to «sever» Ukraine’s energy grid: Regions at risk

Russia is trying to break apart Ukraine’s unified energy system and disconnect peripheral regions, notably Chernihiv, Odesa, and Donetsk, through attacks on substations and high-voltage power lines. These strikes complicate energy redistribution between regions and pose technological risks to civilians.

Hennadiy Ryabtsev, chief researcher at the National Institute for Strategic Studies, discussed the aims of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Ukrainian Radio.

«Unfortunately, Russia is currently trying to achieve two goals. The primary one is to disrupt the integrity of Ukraine’s unified energy system along the Dnipro, splitting it in half, ” the expert noted.

The second goal, he said, is to cut off peripheral regions, notably Chernihiv, Odesa, and Donetsk. These territories have few power plants, high electricity demand, and limited transmission lines. Russian forces, aware of this, are striking substations that enable energy flow between regions and the transmission lines themselves.

«These are high-voltage lines, and any damage to them is difficult to repair quickly using conventional means. As a result, energy workers have to work intensively. Fortunately, they currently have the necessary supplies and reserves to promptly restore power as soon as the military situation allows, ” Ryabtsev explained.

The expert stressed that Russia’s actions are intended not just to cut electricity supply but also to cause technological disruptions in the lives of Ukrainian citizens.