Today's Russian strikes on energy infrastructure threaten the stability of electricity, water and heat supplies in cities - from local outages to the risks of larger-scale disruptions this winter. In an interview with UNIAN, Oleksiy Kucherenko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Energy and Housing and Communal Services, analyzed the extent of damage, the readiness of the protection system and possible regional restrictions on electricity supply, emphasizing the importance of protecting critical infrastructure and a balanced approach to forecasts.

Is today's situation with Russian shelling, when even part of the Ukrainian capital has been without electricity, water for a long time, and the metro has been disrupted, a kind of wake-up call - a harbinger of a possible blackout this winter?

I consider the blackout as nationwide. I do not consider it appropriate to use this word in local situations. It is clear that we are talking about power supply restrictions. But we should not rush to conclusions. We need to analyze what flew in, where and what damage was caused. But when you find out that drones hit block transformers, then questions arise as to why they are not protected during three years of war. When a ballistic missile hits a station, this is a situation when it is practically impossible to defend yourself. Air defense is the key here. But the drones that hit the transformer are a question of its protection. This is a question for Kyivteploenergo and the Kyiv City State Administration.

We can state that due to the strikes on the night of October 9-10, a significant part of the capital was left without electricity and water, and there were problems with transport. The consequences for the city are quite serious. But still, this is a local blackout. The same local problems exist in Chernihiv, in Shostka, where people were without electricity and gas. A blackout in terms of the collapse of the unified energy system? I don't think that such a threat is real now, although today there were Russian strikes specifically on Ukrainian generation and some part of it"fell off", that is, it does not provide power. Today, the system has gone from surplus to deficit, there may be a lack of resources and in certain regions restrictions on electricity supply may be introduced, that is, there will be schedules, since there is not enough capacity for everyone. But we are talking about a blackout when there is generally Armageddon, an uncontrolled spontaneous collapse of the energy system.

But regional restrictions on electricity use are already a reality and will likely continue to be. It depends on how effective the protection of the power system will be during Russian shelling.

The Russians began to purposefully strike infrastructure facilities to deprive Ukrainians of electricity, water, and gas.

But this is not new. The Russians are still attacking generation and networks. The Russians have also attacked gas storage facilities before, in particular, last year. They started attacking gas production in early 2025. Now they continue to do so. Here we must treat all the panicked statements of politicians and even specialists with a rather measured attitude. This does not mean that we are talking about complete destruction. They are attacking certain facilities, they want to cause us a gas shortage. This will not cause a catastrophe, but there will be certain restrictions on gas in the winter. But we have the opportunity to import gas from Europe to storage facilities. The main thing is that our gas transmission system is protected so that this gas can be pumped

We face every war winter with the fear that the utility infrastructure may not survive.

We are ready for winter. The question here is how ready the enemy is for destruction. If missiles arrive, all our efforts will be in vain. The energy sector has fulfilled its tasks, but there are many questions about the shelters of energy facilities. This program has failed. The former heads of Ukrenergo and the Recovery Agency should be held accountable for this. There were miscalculations and incorrect management decisions at the government level.

Now Ukrainians want a serious response from Russia, so that Moscow will also be left without electricity and water.

Exchanging blows is like in boxing. But here the one who has more weight, longer arms and a greater reserve of power will stand. I understand that we have no other choice and we need to strike back. But the consequences can be very serious. We must understand that Russia is still a resource-rich country, when they do not count their soldiers, and other resources too, especially with the support of North Korea and China. Therefore, I understand Ukrainians who want retribution for the Russians, but we must be aware of the threats.

Are you a pessimist or an optimist about Ukraine's journey this winter?

I am a realist. The winter will be very difficult. But there is no need to scare with catastrophes once again. There will be problematic days, weeks in the regions. The situation shows that the fight against Russian missiles and drones is not as effective as we would like. Today, the Patriot systems in Kyiv fought back as best they could. Anti-drone defense is not working to its full potential. Can there be any greater protection of facilities? It is already as it is, it will not be possible to urgently complete something now. What is left here to scratch a turnip, what we have been doing for three years, where the money has gone, why this is happening.

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Oleksiy Kucherenko

Oleksiy Kucherenko is a Ukrainian politician. He graduated from Kyiv Natural Science Lyceum No. 145, and then graduated from the Faculty of Cybernetics of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv State University, majoring in Applied Mathematics. He has a Master's degree in Public Administration, is a Candidate of Sociological Sciences, and is an academician of the Ukrainian Municipal Academy.

In his political career, Kucherenko served as the Head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration (2000–2001), as well as the Minister of Housing and Communal Services in the government of Yulia Tymoshenko. He was elected as a People's Deputy of Ukraine four times - in the III, V, VI and IX convocations, representing various political forces, in particular the Our Ukraine and Batkivshchyna blocs.