Ukraine's Power Struggle: How Attacks on Substations Could Plunge the Country into Darkness

Ukraine's power grid is under siege, and the stakes are high. As winter tightens its grip, Russia has been relentlessly targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The country's power supply is hanging by a thread, with half of its generating capacity already lost. Nuclear power is the backbone of Ukraine's energy system. With three operational nuclear power plants and a total capacity of 7. 7 gigawatts, nuclear energy is crucial. However, the largest plant, Zaporizhzhia, is under Russian control and not producing power. This leaves Ukraine in a tough spot, with a significant power deficit. To make matters worse, Ukraine's thermal power generation has been heavily damaged by Russian airstrikes. This means that the country is heavily reliant on nuclear power, which now accounts for up to 80% of the power consumed. Without nuclear power, cities' infrastructure could collapse, leaving millions in the dark. Substations are the unsung heroes of the power grid. They are essential for delivering electricity from nuclear power plants to consumers. Ten key substations transport more than half of the electricity consumed in Ukraine. These substations are spread out, with some located near the nuclear power plants and others hundreds of kilometers away.Russia has already targeted these substations, with at least 60 attacks since the war began. While the damage has been repairable, the constant threat looms large. The fear is that a direct hit on a substation near a nuclear reactor could have catastrophic consequences. An explosion could damage the system of piping that contains radioactive water, leading to a potential disaster. The memory of the Chornobyl disaster still haunts Ukraine. In 1986, a power unit at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant exploded, rendering vast areas uninhabitable. The thought of a similar incident is a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by attacks on nuclear infrastructure. Ukraine's economy minister has revealed the extent of the damage. Since October 2025, Russian shelling has damaged 8. 5 gigawatts of generating capacity, including thermal and hydroelectric power plants. This highlights the scale of the challenge facing Ukraine as it tries to keep the lights on. The situation is dire, but not hopeless. Protective measures have been put in place, and repairs can be made relatively quickly. However, the constant threat of attacks on substations near nuclear reactors remains a significant risk. The world watches and waits, hoping that Ukraine can weather this storm and emerge stronger on the other side.