Ukraine: “Leave the country to save energy” – Half of the energy system destroyed

The head of the country’s largest private energy company, DTEK, Maksim Tymchenko, in an interview with the BBC, asks its citizens to think very seriously about the possibility of leaving Ukraine.

Citizens should consider leaving the country to reduce demand on the country’s electricity grid, he said, adding that “if they can find an alternative place to stay for another three or four months, it will be very helpful for the system”.

Russian attacks have destroyed nearly half of Ukraine’s energy system. Millions of people have been left without power and heating as temperatures continue to drop and winter has made its presence felt across the country. In some parts of Ukraine temperatures are already below freezing and there is concern that millions of people will be without electricity and heating throughout the winter.

Blackouts – planned and unplanned – are now commonplace in many parts of Ukraine as Russia frequently launches missiles targeting energy facilities.

Earlier this week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the strikes were a “consequence” of Ukraine’s refusal to negotiate with Russia.

Maxim Tymchenko, whose company supplies more than a quarter of Ukraine’s energy, says the system is becoming less reliable with each Russian attack and cutting electricity consumption is key to keeping it running. The government urged citizens to limit the use of household appliances such as ovens and washing machines.

However, widespread damage to the energy system still poses problems since not enough electricity can be produced to meet current needs, so any way to reduce use – including leaving the country – should be seen as helping Ukraine win the war against Russia, Mr. Timchenko explained.

“If you consume less, then hospitals with wounded soldiers will have a guaranteed power supply. In this way, an explanation can be given to how by consuming less energy or leaving the country, they also contribute to other people,” he added.

Until now, power outages have generally been limited to a few hours, but longer periods are likely to increase as Russian attacks increase. Restoring damaged infrastructure is also becoming more difficult.

“Unfortunately, we have run out of equipment and spare parts… That’s why we are appealing to our partners, government officials, companies and equipment producers to help us by immediately sourcing available equipment,” Timchenko said.

Russia’s historic ties to Ukraine – including the development of its energy system – are also proving to be a problem.

“They were colleagues, now they are enemies,” Timchenko stressed. “They bring all this knowledge to the Russian military forces, they train them, they have very specific targets, they know large parts of our grid or power plants.”

But despite the difficulties, Ukrainian engineers continue to work in some of the most dangerous parts of the country, risking their lives to reconnect towns and villages to the grid.

Early Saturday, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced that the railway station in Kherson was the first building in the city to have electricity.

Images of destruction in Kherson

In Kherson, despite the fact that the Russian troops retreated and there is a huge relief, the destruction that has been caused is great and there are serious problems in the electricity and water supply.

The city’s population has dwindled from about 300,000 before the war to about 80,000 now, but it is slowly coming back to life, say residents who are trying to find their rhythm again.

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