Ukraine's energy system is entering the most difficult heating season since the start of the war, with a minimal safety margin. The country will be able to get through the current winter, but with significant difficulties, including prolonged power outages. However, the next year could be fatal for the energy sector if the war continues.
As reported by Hvylya, this forecast was voiced by energy expert Viktor Kurtev in a conversation with political expert Yuriy Romanenko.
According to him, Ukraine is exhausting the last reserves that allow the system to function. He warned that Ukrainians should prepare for serious inconvenience.
"We will crawl through it regardless. With certain inconveniences... which, certainly, could have been much less if we had reacted correctly," Kurtev stated, hinting at the power outages that are already reaching up to eight hours per day.
The expert emphasized that this season is critical and, essentially, the last one where the system is still capable of holding on with its old safety margin.
"This is the last season where we will crawl through on the safety margin we have," he noted.
If the war drags on for another year, by next winter, Ukraine's energy system will no longer withstand the load. However, in Kurtev's opinion, it won't come to this because both sides of the conflict are exhausted. He believes that the collapse of the energy and other systems by February could finally push the parties to move toward a "peaceful track."
"I think both sides lack the strength to continue the conflict. Therefore, if we crawl through this winter on our bellies, we will need to stop, cease fire, and talk," the expert predicted.
Kurtev added that 2026 will be a time of "different reality" for both Ukraine and Russia.
When asked by a viewer if he was ready to head the Ministry of Energy, Viktor Kurtev answered with a quote from The Three Musketeers: "For Athos, it is too much, for the Count de la Fère, it is too little."
