Ukrainian power supply situation improves, Ssys Ukrenergo chief
Source: Ukrenergo
Are we beginning to see the light? Ukrenergo grid is possibly over the worst of it after the state grid system that was crippled by Russia’s air strikes managed to go through the “most challenging period” of this year’s summer, according to the company’s CEO Volodymyr Kudrytskyi.
“We’ve navigated through a really tough few weeks,” he said, “but things are looking up now that the unusual record-breaking heat has subsided. This is coupled with some power plants coming back online after maintenance, which is a huge relief.”
Ukrainian energy customers have shorter power outages as the grid operator is easing its energy supply restrictions.
Kudrytsky warns that the winter months might still pose challenges. “We’re seeing improvements, but it’s crucial to stay prepared,” he explained. “If we avoid any major damage to power stations, we should continue to see positive trends in the coming weeks.”
The Ukrainian official admitted there’s no crystal ball for predicting how tough things might get. “The honest truth is, no one knows what our enemy will do or how successful their attacks might be,” he said. “So, we need to be as prepared as possible—whether that’s upgrading our power infrastructure, stocking up on backup power for critical areas, or making sure we’re ready at the household level.”
His message is clear: preparation is key. “We can’t afford to be too optimistic,” he cautioned. “We need to prepare for all possible scenarios.”
In 2025, the deadliest year yet for civilians, Ukraine’s three largest charitable foundations raised a record 105.9 billion hryvnias. It is more than the years 2022–2024 combined. According to the UN, humanitarian aid in Ukraine was delivered by more than 450 organisations, reaching five million people over the course of the year. Civic foundations hold licences to purchase lethal weapons, which is a function states have monopolised for centuries. These record sums were underwritten by international government grants, which means foreign states now channel billions directly through Ukrainian civic funds, bypassing inter-state channels. It is hard to imagine a stronger institutional trust in civil society.
During the GLOBSEC Defence Forum 2026 in Prague, representatives of “Steel Front”, an initiative by Rinat Akhmetov, discussed with NATO delegations, military officials, and representatives of the European defense industry the lessons learned from Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
After the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine witnessed an unprecedented wave of private support for the army. Citizens, big businesses, charitable foundations, and international philanthropists began financing the country’s defense alongside state assistance provided by international partners. Estimates of total private contributions range from tens to hundreds of billions of hryvnias. However, determining the exact amount remains difficult. In many cases, companies combine military aid, humanitarian programs, tax payments, social spending, and employee support in their reporting.
Rinat Akhmetov’s military initiative, “Steel Front”, has delivered a batch of drones worth UAH 214 million to the 1st “Azov” Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine. This shipment is part of the Metinvest Group’s ongoing support for the unit in 2025.
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.