Intelligence points to a broad range of potential targets, while new safeguards and equipment reserves could shape how quickly essential services recover.
Ukraine is preparing its energy infrastructure for possible Russian strikes this winter. According to First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal, Russia has a detailed plan for attacks on power generation, heating and water supply, wastewater systems, and energy facilities. Preparations are being made based on information received from intelligence services. Shmyhal spoke about this in an interview with Inter TV channel.
Denys Shmyhal reported this on his Telegram channel.
More than 200 protective structures have been built at facilities Russia considers priority targets. Ukraine is also working with its partners to stockpile equipment so that infrastructure can be quickly restored after possible attacks.
By our calculations, winter certainly won’t be easy, but it shouldn’t be harder than last winter.
– Denys Shmyhal
International support for the energy sector
More than 40 countries have joined the “Energy Ramstein” initiative. Over the past three years, more than $2.1 billion has been raised for the Energy Support Fund. In 2026, partners provided $545 million, while another €305 million in funding commitments have been confirmed. Since the fund began operating, Ukraine has received more than 33,000 tonnes of energy equipment, Shmyhal said.
Consequences of the attacks in winter 2025–2026
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine expressed concern over the consequences of Russian strikes. According to the commission, during the winter of 2025–2026, when temperatures fell to -20 degrees, power generation facilities, transmission lines, heating infrastructure, and gas facilities were damaged or destroyed. Millions of Ukrainians faced prolonged power cuts and a shortage of heating or no heating at all.
Preparing protective structures and stockpiling equipment should help Ukraine respond more quickly to possible damage to energy and municipal infrastructure this winter.
“Winter shouldn’t be harder than last winter” – Shmyhal on energy preparations