Ukrainian energy workers are risking their lives amid relentless Russian attacks on critical facilities, determined to maintain heat and power for civilians during one of the coldest winters in decades. Their bravery underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis as infrastructure strikes leave hundreds of thousands without essential services.
Oleksandr Adamov, an energy facility worker in Ukraine, embodies this resilience. When Russian missiles and drones approach, he dons a bulletproof vest and helmet and enters a protective steel capsule to monitor control panels, refusing to take shelter fully. ‘It’s scary, but we overcome our fears to keep people warm,’ he told CNN, highlighting a sense of duty that overrides personal safety. The facility where Adamov works has been attacked dozens of times, bearing scars like holes in walls, burnt equipment, and broken windows.
Workers must remain at their posts during assaults to manage systems manually, preventing worse outcomes for city heat supplies. This hands-on intervention is crucial, as automated shutdowns could exacerbate the crisis. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy, Russia carried out 612 combined drone and missile attacks on energy facilities in 2025 alone, with recent months seeing strikes on 11 hydroelectric plants, 45 heat and power plants, and 151 electrical substations.
The humanitarian impact is severe. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the strikes as ‘cruel’ and violations of international law, noting that attacks have cut heat, electricity, and water to hundreds of thousands in freezing conditions. In Kyiv, recent assaults left over 300,000 homes without power and more than a million people without water, with children, the elderly, and disabled individuals suffering most.
A massive Russian attack overnight into January 9 left 6,000 buildings powerless in Kyiv, followed by another large-scale strike with over 30 missiles and 339 drones that targeted multiple regions. These incidents underscore the intensified assault as winter deepens, with energy workers battling around the clock to repair damage.
Beyond immediate destruction, the attacks raise nuclear safety concerns. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant temporarily lost off-site power, risking cooling systems for nuclear waste. Such vulnerabilities highlight the broader dangers of targeting critical infrastructure.
Despite the dangers, Adamov and his 15,000 colleagues remain united, using humor and camaraderie to ease tension. ‘People have become more united,’ he said, reflecting on the changed nature of their work. With his son also in the energy sector, the family faces constant risk, yet Adamov vows to continue, asserting that Ukrainians will not give up until the attacks cease.
