Controlled shutdowns instead of accidents: an expert talks about the state of Ukraine’s power system
23 December 2025 15:42
FORECAST
After Russia’s latest massive strikes on the energy infrastructure, the issue of electricity supply has once again become one of the most painful for Ukrainians. Lights are going out, blackout schedules are changing, and society is in constant tension about whether the system will hold out, whether a large-scale collapse will occur, and how long we will have to live under restrictions.
Experts emphasize that despite the complexity of the situation, Ukraine’s energy system remains integral and manageable.
Energy expert Gennadiy Ryabtsev said this in a commentary to [Komersant ].
“The power system retains its integrity and controllability,” he stated.
According to Ryabtsev, the key role is played by dispatchers who make decisions on shutdowns to prevent accidents and protect critical facilities. It is not about chaotic blackouts, but a controlled process aimed at stabilizing the system after attacks.
“The blackouts that occurred as a result of the Russian Federation’s strikes were carried out under the commands of dispatchers,” the expert explained.
The society traditionally pays special attention to the safety of nuclear power plants, as any risks in this area have extremely serious consequences. That is why, as emphasized by Ryabtsev, it is fundamentally important that no emergencies have been recorded at NPPs, and all actions are carried out within the approved protocols.
“No emergencies have been reported at any nuclear power plant or in the system as a whole. Emergency shutdowns are gradually being replaced by stabilization shutdown schedules.
In most of Ukraine, there are still 3-4 queues of shutdowns. The situation should improve in the coming week if there are no new strikes,” the expert summarized.
As a reminder, Ukrainian NPPs have reduced their generation capacity after the nighttime Russian strike, and returning to the nominal values will be possible after the restoration works.
