Ukraine enters the 2026–27 winter with adequate power-generating equipment, heating capacity and gas reserves, according to former energy minister Ivan Plachkov. He cautioned, however, that years of damage have sharply reduced the safety margin available to utilities during another campaign of Russian attacks.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported the assessment on Tuesday, October 13. Plachkov estimated that at least half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure had been destroyed, while repair crews continued to restore facilities, install replacement equipment and reinforce vulnerable substations.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the capital was shifting into a survival mode and advised residents with access to homes offering independent heat and water supplies to consider temporarily relocating. He stopped short of calling for a full evacuation but warned that a prolonged failure of the water network could trigger a major urban crisis.

An intercepted document obtained by the Schemes investigative project purportedly outlines a phased Russian campaign against about 60 energy and municipal targets, including import substations, hydroelectric plants and links serving nuclear generation. Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa are identified as priority cities in the alleged plan. Moscow has not commented on the document.