This winter was the most difficult Ukraine has faced since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. Relentless strikes on energy infrastructure, shelling of civilian sites, and hours-long power and heating outages put the system under extreme pressure.
Despite severe and widespread damage, the country managed to hold the line without a systemic collapse of its energy grid.
Several factors proved critical: the speed of repairs, the energy sector’s ability to adapt to wartime conditions, the decentralization of power supply, and large-scale international support – particularly through the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) initiative Energize Ukraine.
“Attacks haven’t stopped, and this winter brought heavy damage to energy infrastructure. Our focus is to provide critical facilities with autonomous power and help source essential equipment that can supply electricity to hundreds of thousands of people,” said Head of the Energize Ukraine initiative Yarema Kovaliv.
According to him, even a few hours of backup power for schools or hospitals is more than a technical fix – it’s what keeps basic services running.
The UWC spoke with Kovaliv about how Energize Ukraine helped Ukraine get through the winter, which solutions proved most effective in stabilizing the grid, and how the country’s needs have evolved amid ongoing Russian attacks.
From emergency aid to systematic support
Energize Ukraine was launched in late 2022 in response to Russia’s first large-scale strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. At first, the priority was to secure any available equipment as quickly as possible. Over time, the approach became far more targeted and strategic.
“In the beginning, the message was ‘send whatever you can.’ Now the requests are much more specific, which makes our work far more effective,” Kovaliv explained.
Today, the initiative operates in two main areas:
- providing hospitals and schools with autonomous energy sources (solar systems, batteries, generators)
- sourcing and delivering critical equipment to restore damaged infrastructure
This includes both large generators for hospitals and highly specialized components capable of powering entire regions.
“Sometimes it’s just a few electrical insulators – but they can bring light to hundreds of thousands of people,” Kovaliv noted.
He also highlighted the importance of less visible support, such as protective gear for repair crews:
“It may seem minor, but it’s about the safety of the people restoring the grid—and that directly affects how quickly power can be brought back.”
€10 million in 10 days
One of the most powerful outcomes this winter was the international campaign “Warmth for Ukraine,” launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by UWC’s Energize Ukraine. In just 10 days, more than €10 million was raised from around the world.
What stood out was the role of ordinary people and communities.
“The bulk of contributions this winter came from individuals and Ukrainian communities. That’s an incredibly strong signal of support,” Kovaliv said.
Another key step was the signing of an updated memorandum between the UWC and Ukraine’s national grid operator Ukrenergo in March. The five-year agreement expands cooperation from emergency recovery to long-term goals, including the green transition.
“The resilience of Ukraine’s energy system is not just a national issue – it’s a matter of security for all of Europe. Our goal is to scale up support,” Kovaliv said.
Ukrenergo reports that since 2023, cooperation with the UWC has already delivered high-voltage equipment, machinery, and other aid worth over 10 million Canadian dollars.
“We thank Ukrainians around the world for their support during this difficult time. Together, we are unbreakable,” the company said.
Powering education
A major part of the effort focused on education through a UWC initiative led by its International Educational Coordinating Council (IECC) as part of the “Warmth for Ukraine” campaign.
As part of the project, 64 schools in Kyiv, Kyiv Region, and Odesa Region received generators, charging stations, power banks, and solar panels. The aid was organized by Ukrainian schools worldwide – from France and Canada to Japan and Australia.
Council head Lyuba Lyubchyk stressed the significance of this support: “I know the conditions Ukrainian schools abroad operate in – often improvised spaces, often run by volunteers. That’s why I’m deeply grateful to those who, despite their own challenges, united their communities to support Ukraine.”
Schools that received assistance highlighted its critical importance.
“Your gift is not just a source of energy – it’s energy that warms hearts,” said Nadiia Klymenko, principal of Kyiv Lyceum No. 105.
“This helps ensure the continuity of education and creates safe conditions,” added staff at Lyceum No. 30 “Ekonad.”
“Unity is when there are more people willing to help than schools in need. As long as we stand together, we are unstoppable,” Lyubchyk said.
What’s next
Despite getting through the winter, the challenges remain. Fully restoring or protecting the energy system in a short time is impossible. That’s why decentralization – ensuring individual facilities can operate independently – has become a key strategy.
“Our support will remain essential through solar systems, generators, and other автономous solutions,” Kovaliv said.
Even after the war ends, the need to rebuild Ukraine’s energy sector will remain significant – and the global Ukrainian community will play a decisive role.
Hundreds of people worldwide have already joined the Energize Ukraine initiative. Individual targeted donations can be made via the official website. Instructions for making a donation via a special bank transfer are available at the following link.
Because this winter proved one thing above all: Ukraine’s energy system depends not only on infrastructure – but on the people who keep it running.
Cover: DepositPhotos
