Denys Shmyhal

Force in Play

Managing wartime energy crisis

Russia has spent four years methodically destroying Ukraine's ability to keep the lights on. Since October 2022, over 1,400 missiles and 500 strike drones have hit power plants, substations, and the workers who maintain them—killing at least 160 energy workers and erasing two-thirds of Ukraine's thermal generation capacity.

Updated May 29

Force in Play

Appointed January 14, 2026

Ukraine started the war with 38 GW of power generation capacity; 28 months of Russian strikes cut that to 11 GW. Winter demand hit 18 GW on January 15, 2026. Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal told parliament on January 16 that 'not a single power plant left in Ukraine' has escaped Russian attack.

Updated May 21