Ukraine’s Energy Crisis Deepens as Russian Attacks Devastate Power Grid Amid Freezing Winter
KIEV, Ukraine — As Ukraine endures a harsh winter, its energy infrastructure lies in ruins following relentless Russian strikes, leaving over one million citizens without power amid freezing temperatures. Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, revealed that nearly 90% of the company’s generation capacity has been damaged or destroyed since the full-scale Russian invasion began in 2022. This unprecedented level of destruction threatens to plunge millions into darkness and cold as the conflict grinds on.
Founded by Ukrainian entrepreneur Rinat Akhmetov, DTEK operates critical thermal power stations that once numbered eight before the war. Three stations fell under Russian occupation, and the remaining five have each been targeted multiple times, with Timchenko confirming at least five attacks per station since the invasion escalated. The damages have cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars, with recovery efforts for 2025 alone budgeted at approximately $220 million.
“The level of destruction is incomparable to any energy system in the world,” Timchenko told Fox News Digital. “Nothing like this has happened in modern history.” The CEO emphasized the dire humanitarian consequences, warning that without swift action, millions face a freezing winter without electricity.
In a rare public appeal, Timchenko credited former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent diplomatic efforts as a beacon of hope for peace. Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the third time on December 28, 2025, aiming to broker an end to the nearly four-year conflict. “We are deeply grateful to President Trump for his leadership,” Timchenko said. “We believe he and his team are the only ones who can force Russia to negotiate and stop the war, together with the support of our partners in the European Union and other countries.”
The ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have been widely condemned by international organizations. The U.S. Department of Energy has expressed concern over the targeting of civilian energy systems, highlighting the critical need for protecting infrastructure during conflicts. The U.S. Department of State continues to coordinate with allies to provide humanitarian aid and technical support to Ukraine’s energy sector.
Meanwhile, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has ramped up efforts to assist Ukraine in restoring power and ensuring access to heating for vulnerable populations. However, the scale of destruction poses significant challenges.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly underscored that Ukraine cannot prevail without sustained international support. In recent statements, he credited Trump’s diplomatic engagement as a positive development in the pursuit of peace. Yet, the Kremlin remains defiant, rejecting key elements of proposed peace plans and continuing military operations.
As the conflict enters its fourth year, the humanitarian toll grows more severe. The destruction of energy infrastructure not only disrupts daily life but also threatens critical services such as hospitals and emergency response systems. The United Nations has called for immediate ceasefires to allow repair crews safe access to vital facilities.
Timchenko’s urgent message resonates beyond Ukraine’s borders: without decisive international intervention, the relentless Russian strikes will continue to cripple the nation’s power grid, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The coming weeks will test the resilience of Ukraine’s people and the resolve of the global community to bring an end to the war and restore essential services before winter’s grip tightens further.
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