The European Union has promised Ukraine 35 billion euros. It is not certain that this will be enough to compensate for the losses in Ukraine, whose energy facilities have been badly hit by the Russian strikes. In kyiv, residents fear a difficult winter.
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In a square in the Ukrainian capital, a kind of tank, massive and rusty, has been placed on rails. Natasha, 21, explains to passers-by why this electrical transformer was installed there. We brought it here to show how our energy engineers are currently fighting for light. This transformer has served for 50 years in Ukraine and provided light to more than a million people ” she tells our correspondent in kyiv, Cherry Sudry Le-Du.
It was recently destroyed by Russian bombs. Because energy facilities are specifically targeted in Ukraine. Artem, 24, comes from a town on the Belarusian border, which was almost besieged at the beginning of the war. He knows about power cuts: ” The most important thing is to have internet for my work, I bought an external battery to ensure a longer battery life for my laptop “.
Despite promised aid, winter looks set to be harsh
For months and even longer, the Russia targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure in addition to occupying the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe. This raises fears of the worst as winter approaches, knowing that the Ukrainian population is already regularly confronted with power cuts. Even the International Energy Agency is expressing concern. It also called on Western countries this week to help Ukraine.
European Commission President visits kyiv Ursula Van der Leyen announced 35 billion euros in aid to Ukraine. But it is not certain that this will be enough to get through a peaceful winter. Angelica, 23, has even planned a fallback plan. I have stocked up on food and water, and we will be able to go to my family’s village where we can survive without electricity for several days. “.
Despite the relentless Russian strikes targeting infrastructure, the Ukrainian energy system has managed to resist during the last two winters. But as Olivier Appert, advisor to the Energy and Climate Center of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) and former president of the French Energy Council, explains, the increase in Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure is such that it will be very complicated to get through the winter.
With Russia having destroyed a significant number of energy facilities, the coming winter is likely to be difficult to get through.
According to energy expert Olivier Appert, winter is going to be complicated for Ukrainians.
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