The energy system of Ukraine is facing a new critical challenge: the degradation of distribution grids in frontline and border regions. Constant Russian attacks not only damage high-voltage facilities but also cause chain technical failures at smaller substations.
As reported by Oleksandr Kharchenko, Director of the Energy Research Center, this leads to emergency power outages in the Chernihiv, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Cascading Failures and Grid "Fatigue"
The expert cited an example of cascading failures that occur after major facilities are damaged:
"One of the latest examples is the situation in Kyiv, where, after damage, a high-voltage substation was connected, and technical failures occurred in cascades at smaller substations. When those were restored, cables at even smaller substations burned out," Kharchenko explained.
This indicates that even without a direct hit, the constant load and switching operations following major attacks lead to destruction in the lower tiers of the energy system.
Financial Support for Electricity Payments
In response to the difficult energy situation and the financial burden on the population, the state is providing additional payments to residents of frontline regions for electricity bills.
Tetiana Kyrienko, Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity, reported that more than 300,000 citizens have already received additional assistance.
"Currently, more than 309,000 recipients have already received additional payments totaling UAH 202.6 million," she said.
The assistance covers residents of ten regions most affected by the attacks: Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Chernihiv.
