Only one-third of Ukraine’s key transformers are protected from Russian strikes — but biggest threat may be inside system, lawmaker says

Russia is targeting Ukraine's power grid by striking unprotected transformers and relay protection systems at substations. A lawmaker on parliament's energy committee revealed that only one-third of the main transformers at the state-owned electricity transmission operator Ukrenergo are housed in reinforced-concrete sarcophagi, leaving the rest vulnerable to Russian strikes.

The grid has remained operational despite the ongoing war, but the unprotected components may be the biggest threat. Serhii Nahorniak, the lawmaker, personally inspected the protection of Ukraine's energy facilities and pointed out possible corruption, responsibility scattered across agencies, and conflicting progress reports. The unshielded transformers are the main target for Russia, which has identified which substations they can destroy, avoiding the ones already protected.

In addition to the transformers, only three of the relay protection systems, referred to as "the brains" of the substations, have been placed underground, leaving 81 more unprotected. This leaves critical infrastructure, such as the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne nuclear plants, generating less power than they could, causing revenue loss for the state and disrupting private factories during power outages.

The impact of these attacks extends beyond power outages, affecting various aspects of daily life in Kyiv, such as water supply, schools, and hospitals. Responsibility for maintaining the power grid rests on multiple parties, including the city council, private operators, and Ukrenergo itself. Nahorniak also questioned why some sites of Ukrhidroenergo, a state hydropower firm, are lagging in repairs, expressing concern over the lack of urgency in addressing these issues.