Ukraine’s Winter Shield Is Half-Built as Russia Targets the Grid

Ukraine is racing to protect its energy system from Russian strikes, but its winter resilience plans are less than half complete. The country is working to secure heat, water, and rail services for its citizens as the cold season approaches. Officials have prioritized defending critical infrastructure, yet the gap between what is needed and what is ready remains wide. While repairs and new protections are underway, the scale of the challenge is immense. A key bottleneck is the railway network, which is vital for moving troops, supplies, and civilians. New locomotives have been ordered to replace those damaged or destroyed, but these replacements will not arrive before 2027. Until then, Ukraine must rely on existing equipment that is increasingly vulnerable to attack. The coming months will test the country’s ability to keep essential services running. Without fully completed defenses, the risk of prolonged blackouts and heating failures looms large. For now, the work continues, but time is short.