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Ukraine and its international partners will create a strategic reserve of energy equipment to help repair damaged infrastructure during the winter, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said after talks in Brussels.

Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s power plants, substations, and transmission infrastructure since the start of its full-scale invasion, launching large-scale missile and drone attacks aimed at disrupting electricity and heating supplies especially during winter months.

A €197 million stockpile before the next strikes hit

According to Shmyhal, the reserve will be established within the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine and currently has an available budget of €197 million.

The mechanism will allow Ukrainian energy companies to stockpile critical equipment ahead of the next winter season, enabling faster repairs if Russian strikes damage power facilities.

“Thanks to this mechanism, Ukrainian companies will be able to accumulate energy equipment before next winter and use these reserves for repairs if necessary,” Shmyhal said.

Last winter was the worst yet. Another is coming.

The energy crisis reached a peak during the winter that has just passed, when repeated Russian strikes damaged key power facilities across the country and forced emergency repairs throughout the heating season.

Looking ahead to the next winter, Ukrainian authorities and international partners are preparing for the likelihood that Russia will again attempt large-scale attacks on the energy grid. Officials say building equipment reserves now should help utilities restore damaged infrastructure faster and avoid the most severe disruptions seen this winter.

€5.4 billion needed, €1.87 billion raised

Shmyhal said Kyiv and its partners also agreed on Ukraine’s financial needs for the upcoming winter, estimating that about €5.4 billion will be required to prepare the energy system.

During the meetings in Brussels, Ukrainian officials held talks with representatives of the European Commission, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, and Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen.

The discussions focused on protecting energy infrastructure, securing equipment for emergency repairs, and tightening sanctions against Russian energy resources.

According to Shmyhal, contributions to the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine have already exceeded €1.87 billion, provided by governments, international organizations, and other donors supporting the country’s energy resilience.

Read also

• Russia’s winter campaign was supposed to freeze Ukraine, split its grid, and stop its factories. None of it worked, ISW says

• Lights on, economy limping: Ukraine’s real energy reckoning in March 2026

• Behind the black windows: How Kyiv survives a winter in the dark

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