Over half of Ukrenergo's facilities shielded from drone attacks

“Over half of Ukrenergo’s facilities currently have second-level anti-drone protection, and construction work is ongoing,” the company’s press service said.

Building these defenses requires temporarily shutting off equipment, leaving consumers without power during construction. To minimize disruptions, Ukrenergo divided the process into two phases.

The first phase, protecting key substations that transmit electricity from west to east and south to north, is complete. The second phase is set to finish in the first half of 2026.

Ukrenergo also confirmed sufficient reserves to replace damaged grid components.

“Drawing on past fall-winter experiences, the transmission system operator has amassed high-voltage equipment reserves two to three times above standard norms,” the company said, citing its resources and international aid.

Energy sector attacks

As colder weather sets in, Russian forces have intensified strikes on Ukraine’s civilian and energy infrastructure. Naftogaz reported that an attack on its facilities overnight into October 3 was the most massive since the full-scale invasion began, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noting that 35 missiles targeted gas facilities alone.

Overnight into October 5, Russian troops launched another large-scale combined attack on gas infrastructure, also hitting energy facilities.

Overnight into October 10, Russia struck the energy sector again, with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko calling it one of the largest attacks focused specifically on energy infrastructure.

Russian forces have been targeting Ukraine’s energy sector almost daily in recent weeks.