The Perilous Task of Repairing Ukraine's Power Grid Amidst War

Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the country's power infrastructure has been under relentless attack. Ukrainian engineers, particularly those from the state-owned grid operator Ukrenergo, face life-threatening conditions as they work to restore electricity amidst ongoing bombardments. The situation has escalated to a point where the injury rate among electricity workers has surged nearly 50%, with at least 48 fatalities reported by the end of 2025.

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Oleksiy Brecht, the director for network operations and development at Ukrenergo, emerged as a pivotal figure in the struggle to maintain the power grid. Brecht, who joined Ukrenergo in 2002, was instrumental in implementing critical upgrades to the grid's capabilities before the invasion. His leadership and innovative problem-solving skills were vital during the war, particularly in sourcing replacement parts and adapting equipment under dire circumstances. Tragically, Brecht lost his life in January 2025 while overseeing repairs at the heavily damaged Kyivska substation.

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Ukrenergo has adapted to the challenges posed by Russian attacks, with CEO Vitaliy Zaychenko noting that the organization is now better prepared for each assault. Despite this, the risks remain high. Crews from DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy firm, have been targeted by Russian drones, a tactic known as "double tap" attacks, which aim to strike first responders. Brecht's role shifted dramatically from strategic planning to hands-on crisis management, often working in the field to coordinate repairs at bombed substations.

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Brecht's contributions were recognized posthumously when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy named him a "Hero of Ukraine." His innovative approaches, such as reintroducing "live line" techniques that allow repairs while power is still flowing, were crucial in maintaining energy stability. His insistence on synchronizing Ukraine's grid with Europe, despite initial resistance, proved to be a strategic advantage during the invasion.

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While Brecht's efforts were commendable, the energy sector in Ukraine has faced scrutiny. Former Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko was dismissed amid allegations of corruption and Russian influence, leading to significant political fallout. This backdrop of instability complicates the already perilous task of maintaining energy security in wartime.

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• “The war completely transformed the professional life of a top-manager engineer,” — Mariia Tsaturian, Energy Analyst

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• “He would find a way,” — Vitaliy Zaychenko, CEO of Ukrenergo

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• “In his presence, chaos subsided,” — Svitlana Dubas-Veremiienko, Brecht's Assistant

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• “I don’t know why he touched this busbar. Maybe because of tiredness. Maybe something else,” — Vitaliy Zaychenko

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An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Brecht's death is currently underway, as officials seek to understand the factors that led to the tragic incident. As Ukraine continues to face Russian aggression, the resilience of its energy infrastructure and the safety of its engineers remain critical concerns for the nation’s survival.

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