The video was published on YouTube by NEC.
The media wrote on October 16 that the Russians are trying to divide the Ukrainian energy system into two large parts and make them unmanageable.
The next step could be an attack on shunting generation in the western regions (thermal power plants), and subsequently an attack on the switchgear of nuclear power plants. In winter, a “4×2” scenario awaits Ukraine: “four hours without power, two with light,” state energy companies predict.
Commenting on this message, Zaichenko noted that Ukrenergo has done “a lot of work” since 2022.
“At that time, we were completely unprepared for the fact that Ukraine’s energy system would be destroyed. And at the moment, more than 50% of our transformers are already protected. They are protected with such a level of protection that they can withstand Shahed. And every day they are attacked by Shahed, and continue to work,” said the head of the NEC.
Zaichenko expressed confidence that Ukrenergo will ensure the transmission of electricity through the high-voltage network to the network of distribution system operators.
“The networks of distribution system operators are also involved in protection. Therefore, I think the situation that there will be no light is unlikely, but all power engineers are doing their job to ensure that there is always light,” the head of the NEC emphasized.
Context
The aggressor country Russia has been attacking the Ukrainian energy system since 2022, which is why Ukraine lost more than 9 GW of generation last year.
In the fall of 2025, the Russian Federation intensified its attacks on the facilities of the Ukrainian energy system. In particular, on the night of October 10, the occupying forces attacked the energy infrastructure with drones and missiles, so emergency power outage schedules were introduced in nine regions.
During air attacks, the Russian Federation began to use the tactics of “stage-by-stage nibbling”, knocking out Ukraine’s energy sector region by region, the Ministry of Energy noted.
