Key facts
- Ukraine is entering the winter better prepared than last year, according to Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi.
- Critical facilities now have additional backup power, and important infrastructure elements have greater protection.
- Ukraine has accumulated more reserve equipment and spare parts, and increased repair crews and machinery.
- Russia has stockpiled jet-powered drones and missiles, strengthening its capabilities.
- Ukraine faces vulnerabilities including unrepaired energy infrastructure, air defense stock pressure, and budget constraints.
- Britain provided a 100 million pound air defense package to Ukraine.
Ukraine is entering the upcoming winter with improved preparedness compared to the previous year, according to Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi. In a Sept. 27 interview on the United News telethon, Koretskyi highlighted that critical facilities now possess additional backup power, vital infrastructure elements are better protected, and the country has increased its reserves of equipment, spare parts, repair crews, and machinery.
However, Koretskyi also cautioned that Russia has bolstered its own capabilities by stockpiling jet-powered drones and missiles. Ukraine continues to grapple with significant vulnerabilities, including unrepaired energy infrastructure, dwindling air defense interceptor stocks, budget limitations, and Russia's expanding use of faster drones. The Kyiv Independent previously reported that Ukraine has struggled to fully finance its 5.4 billion euro ($6.2 billion) energy resilience plan, relying on international partners for substantial support.
Earlier in September, the Kyiv Independent also noted that damage from last winter's Russian attacks had not been fully repaired, with shortages of air defense interceptors and ongoing pressure on the power grid remaining major concerns. In July, President Volodymyr Zelensky had urged the energy sector to expedite preparations, indicating that resilience efforts were falling behind schedule. In an effort to bolster defenses, Britain announced a 100 million pound ($135 million) air defense package earlier this month, which includes interceptors and drones aimed at helping Ukraine withstand renewed Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.