Less than four months remain before the start of the heating season, and Ukraine faces the necessity of completing preparations for a difficult winter. According to RBC-Ukraine, as of now, critical infrastructure resilience plans in the regions are only 40% complete. This figure reflects the scale of work already done but also points to a significant volume of tasks remaining for the authorities.
Budget and survival strategy
Comprehensive regional plans, approved in March by a decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) and a presidential decree, are designed to ensure the uninterrupted operation of life-support facilities amid the ongoing war. 62 billion hryvnias have been allocated from the state budget to implement these strategies. However, according to a source familiar with the situation, the current pace of work is insufficient for full security.
«A significant amount of work has already been done, but it is not enough – there are still many tasks ahead», — noted the source. The main goal is to create a safety buffer capable of withstanding new waves of attacks on the energy system.
Geography of readiness: who is ahead, who is lagging
An analysis of the situation by region reveals significant differences in the pace of preparation. Plans to increase resilience are being implemented most successfully in the Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, and Kharkiv regions. These regions, often subjected to strikes, demonstrate high mobilization.
A completely different picture is observed in Western Ukraine. The Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions are currently lagging in the implementation of plans. According to the source, until April 1, when the region was subjected to shelling, local authorities were in a state of «certain relaxation» and did not perceive the threat seriously enough.
«Now they have changed their attitude towards threats and have become active», — added the RBC-Ukraine interlocutor, noting that real attacks became a catalyst for action.
New reality of energy
The context of preparations for the winter of 2026 is dictated by the consequences of Russia's massive combined attacks on the energy system in the spring. As a result of the strikes, Ukraine lost a significant part of its maneuverable generation, including thermal and hydroelectric power plants.
In this regard, the government and local authorities have changed the vector of preparation. The main focus has shifted to the decentralization of the energy grid. Authorities have focused on deploying a network of gas turbine units and cogeneration, as well as ensuring critical infrastructure with alternative power sources. These measures are designed to mitigate the consequences of possible winter outages and maintain the operation of hospitals, water supply systems, and heating in conditions of centralized energy deficit.