Ukraine Is Better Prepared for Winter Strikes, Koretskyi Says

Ukraine is better prepared for potential Russian strikes on its energy grid than it was last winter, though fully shielding every facility remains impossible, Prime Minister Serhi Koretskyi stated during the Yalta European Strategy (YES 2026) annual conference in Kyiv. Speaking at the forum, Koretskyi said the government has drafted a comprehensive resilience plan and is preparing response mechanisms ranging from baseline contingencies to severe crisis scenarios.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “The winter will be hard – I have nothing new to add to that. But we have no other plan than to get through this winter with dignity,” Koretskyi said. Koretskyi noted that Russian forces continue to subject Ukrainian power infrastructure to sustained aerial attacks, making total physical defense unfeasible. However, he emphasized that structural lessons drawn from the previous heating season have significantly bolstered state readiness. “Russia may view the current period and the winter season as an opportunity to exert rapid pressure on Ukraine,” Koretskyi explained, adding that the government intends to navigate the coming months through internal coordination and continued assistance from international partners. Decentralization and multi-tier response plans According to the prime minister, the core of Ukraine’s winter energy strategy centers on the decentralization of critical utility and life-support networks across regions, cities, and oblasts to prevent localized damage from triggering systemic grid collapses. Other Topics of Interest Russian Attack Halts US-Owned Oleina Sunflower Oil Plant in Dnipro A Sept. 10 Russian strike damaged the US-owned Bunge plant producing Oleina sunflower oil in central Dnipro, killing two and forcing operations to suspend. Koretskyi stated that the scale and destruction of Russian strikes have multiplied over the past two months, creating additional strain on the national economy. Despite the escalation, he maintained that the government possesses the resources, reserves, and operational readiness necessary to address winter disruptions. Koretskyi referenced his administrative experience managing energy operations during previous wartime campaigns when he served as head of national oil and gas company NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine. Fuel stockpiles and municipal heating preparations Koretskyi’s assessment follows official confirmations that Ukraine reached its natural gas storage targets for the 2026–2027 heating season approximately one month ahead of schedule. On Aug. 28, First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities had accumulated 14.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas, fulfilling baseline requirements for the autumn-winter season. The milestone was achieved through coordinated extraction and storage by domestic producers, the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU), and Naftogaz. Concurrently, the Ministry of Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport reported in late August that roughly 100,000 residential buildings – representing approximately 70% of the government’s seasonal target – had completed winterization procedures, alongside preparations for 12,400 boiler houses and 11,700 kilometers of municipal heating networks. The government previously allocated nearly Hr 6.8 billion ($152 million) for energy infrastructure repairs, backup generation, and physical barriers, prioritizing autonomous backup power for municipal water and heating services during potential grid outages. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.