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Imagem de um menino a brincar, às escuras; durante um apagão em Kiyv, na Ucrânia. Créditos: shutterstock
Policy Paper (EN)

Ukraine’s energy sector is a key battleground in the war with Russia

Ukraine has chosen European integration and decided to sever its long-standing ties with Russia. Moscow does not accept Kyiv’s sovereign decision and wants to prove that the only alternative to integration with Russia in the region is war and destruction. The Ukrainian energy sector has proved to be a key element in this struggle.
26 min

What role has Ukraine’s energy infrastructure played in its ongoing conflict with Russia? As we analyze the war’s dynamics, it becomes clear that Kyiv’s energy sector has transformed into a strategic battlefield. Aiming not only to damage Ukraine’s physical infrastructure but also to undermine the country's resilience and morale, Russia’s targeted missile strikes and cyberattacks have shown the importance of the energy sector in this conflict.

Ukraine’s efforts to bolster energy security have become an integral part of its defense strategy. Since the invasion, the country has worked tirelessly to diversify its energy sources, improve grid resilience, and reduce dependency on Russian supplies. The international community’s support has also been vital in this area and has highlighted the importance of a unified front, recognizing that Ukraine’s energy resilience is essential not only for national security but also for regional stability.

Looking ahead, safeguarding Ukraine’s energy infrastructure will remain essential. Most of all, Ukraine’s experience highlights the importance of integrating energy security into national defense strategies, demonstrating that in modern warfare, control over energy resources can be just as decisive as military might.

To read the full paper, please access the following website.

English