EU agrees to increase electricity imports for Ukraine

Ukraine and the European Union reached an agreement to boost Ukraine’s electricity import capacity from the EU starting December 1, a move can help strenghten the “resilience of Ukraine’s energy system” amid fears Moscow can resume its attacks to cripple Ukraine’s energy sites, said Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko on Tuesday.

“Beginning December 1, the maximum import capacity from EU countries will rise from the current 1.7 GW to 2.1 GW. This will enhance the stability of Ukraine’s energy system amid ongoing criminal Russian shelling and infrastructure destruction,” Halushchenko stated.

He thanked “European partners” and EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson for their support as Ukraine prepares for the winter season.

The decision to increase import capacity followed a September meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Kyiv. Ukraine is set to have access to an extra 250 MW of emergency power assistance from EU countries if needed.

On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.

Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.

Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.

A kamikaze drone flies directly toward an armored personnel carrier. But instead of penetrating the hull, it explodes on a steel screen. The crew survives. This is the new reality for Ukrainian forces, who have received enhanced protection thanks to the Metinvest project within “Steel Front of Rinat Akhmetov”.

To commemorate the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, “Bukvy” has compiled data on the largest donors supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Among them there are charitable foundations and businesses. The list includes, in particular, foundations that provide assistance exclusively from their own resources, without fundraising (such as SCM by Rinat Akhmetov, Epicenter, etc.).