The Times: construction of protection of energy facilities in Ukraine disrupted because officials demanded bribes
25 November 2024 11:50
The British newspaper The Times has published an article stating that Ukraine’s inability to protect its critical energy infrastructure is caused by corruption at high levels of government. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" reports with reference to Focus.
The publication claims that the Ukrainian government has postponed the implementation of projects to strengthen energy facilities, and contractors have stopped work due to lack of payment. This process has been complicated by the fact that 80% of the country’s energy system has been damaged or destroyed by Russian shelling.
Mustafa Nayyem, the former head of the Critical Infrastructure Protection Agency, who resigned in June, accused the government of blocking funding due to corrupt interests. According to him, projects aimed at installing special protective bunkers for substations were disrupted because officials demanded bribes.
His successor, Serhiy Sukhomlyn, claims that contract revisions were necessary due to inflated prices, and that some of the protective structures had to be redesigned to cut costs.
The situation is further complicated by the prospect of reduced US aid to Ukraine after Donald Trump takes office, which could reduce the supply of air defense equipment.
The article also mentions suspicions about the role of the former deputy head of the Presidential Office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, who is accused of demanding kickbacks for state construction projects. However, Tymoshenko’s representative denied the allegations, emphasizing the need for an official investigation.
The Times notes that corruption not only slows down efforts to protect infrastructure, but also threatens the stability of Ukraine’s energy system in the face of winter and constant Russian attacks.
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Situation in the Ukrainian energy sector
on March 22, 2024, Russia resumed its attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector, carrying out one of the most massive shelling operations in the entire period of the full-scale war. In particular, DniproHES and other Ukrainian energy facilities were hit. Since then, Russia has been regularly shelling Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
For example, the Russians destroyed the Trypillia and Zmiiv thermal power plants, causing Centrenergo to lose 100% of its generation. Also, 5 of DTEK’s 6 thermal power plants were severely damaged.
After that, power outages began again in Ukraine, Ukrenergo introduced blackout schedules, and the government raised electricity tariffs by 60% at once.
At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to build two new units at the Khmelnytsky N PP and has already received approval from the relevant parliamentary committee. The Razumkov Center has criticized these plans, but some experts believe that only traitors or scoundrels are against the construction of nuclear power plants today.
Russia launched another massive attack on the Ukrainian energy sector on August 26. This time, they hit distribution and power generation systems, and the Kyiv hydroelectric power plant was also attacked.
Russia carried out the most massive shelling of Ukraine on November 17, 2024, firing 127 cruise, ballistic, and supersonic missiles and 109 attack drones. DTEK reported serious damage to its thermal power plants. The situation in Odesa and Odesa region was the most difficult: on the night of July 18, the city was partially without electricity and water. Ukraine reintroduces power outage schedules on July 18
Some experts believe that the blackouts may last until spring. And the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine recently voiced a worst-case scenario that envisages blackouts of up to 20 hours a day.
