Ukrainians should prepare for more difficult living conditions this winter due to intensified Russian attacks on energy and other critical infrastructure. Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said Russia’s strike tactics have changed, with Kyiv’s water supply now among the targets receiving particular attention.
Koretskyi said this in an interview with BBC News Ukraine.
According to him, since July 16, when parliament elected him prime minister and approved the renewed government, there has not been a single day without attacks on the energy sector.
As of October 17, Koretskyi said there had been 2,147 strikes on energy infrastructure alone during that period. According to him, this figure is several times higher than last year.
“In the fifth year of the full-scale war, we have to proceed from the worst-case scenario. This is the only correct strategic approach,” the prime minister said.
Energy strikes intensified even before winter began
According to Koretskyi, Russian attacks have intensified significantly in recent weeks.
He said power transmission lines have suffered extensive damage. Even if transformers and individual energy facilities are protected, it is impossible to protect thousands of kilometers of networks and large distribution sites.
At the same time, he said Ukraine has reserve stocks of equipment, while repair crews are capable of restoring damaged infrastructure as quickly as possible.
“Then another strike comes, and we restore everything again… This has been going on for many, many months. Recently, these strikes have intensified significantly. And winter has not even started yet,” Koretskyi said.
According to him, the government continues to strengthen the protection of facilities, expand distributed backup generation and replenish equipment reserves together with international partners.
Russia is also focusing on Kyiv’s water supply
The prime minister warned that the risks this winter may affect not only electricity and heating.
“We have already been through problems with electricity and heating, but right now the Russians are very actively focusing on Kyiv’s water supply,” Koretskyi said.
According to him, the authorities are preparing backup power supplies, reserve pumping stations and alternative supply options.
At the same time, he acknowledged that these measures would not be able to fully provide the level of everyday comfort that would exist without attacks and destruction.
Koretskyi also noted that the situation differs depending on the type of housing. Some households do not depend on centralized systems, while in others electricity, water and heating are directly dependent on them.
“The tactics of Russian terror have changed significantly”
Koretskyi urged Ukrainians not to treat warnings about a difficult winter as routine annual statements.
“It is a big mistake when people say: ‘Ah, somehow we’ll get through it…’ or ‘They said the same thing last time…’ This is incorrect and wrong, because the tactics of Russian terror have changed significantly, and this year they may be even worse,” he said.
According to the prime minister, Ukrainians should be prepared for “much more difficult living conditions.”
Government advises preparing backup power
Koretskyi also spoke about government programs that allow households and condominium associations to increase their energy independence.
According to him, citizens can purchase inverters, solar panels, energy storage systems and other equipment on preferential terms.
Koretskyi said he himself installed an inverter and battery at home last winter and keeps a supply of technical water.
“I don’t want to repeat either my own mistakes or our common mistakes, when winter arrives ‘unexpectedly’ every time,” the prime minister said.
Authorities are trying to minimize worst-case scenarios
Koretskyi stressed that the authorities are preparing for different scenarios and trying to minimize the consequences of possible new strikes.
According to him, the fact that Ukraine has not yet been plunged into a complete blackout despite the current number of attacks demonstrates the results of preparations by energy workers, utility services, the State Emergency Service and the implementation of the resilience plan.
At the same time, the prime minister stressed that it is physically impossible to protect all infrastructure, so the main task remains the rapid restoration of damaged facilities and the creation of backup systems.
Earlier, “Glavnoe in Ukraine” reported that Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said the rules for exempting military-liable men from mobilization need to be revised. According to him, the number of exemptions and deferments has been growing by tens of thousands each month over the past 6–8 months, while the government wants to minimize abuse of the system.
