Over four years of the full-scale war, power engineers in Donetsk region have restored 1,200 substations, transformer and distribution points, as well as 12,800 power lines with a total length of nearly 30,000 kilometers. Despite systematic enemy attacks and repeated destruction, the vast majority of damaged energy infrastructure has been restored wherever technically possible — and repair work continues after every shelling.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, specialists of DTEK Donetsk Grids have returned electricity to more than 17 million* of their customers. The figure is enormous, as some facilities have been repaired dozens of times. Every field trip means working in heightened danger, after receiving permission from the military and the State Emergency Service, knowing that the threat may recur at any moment.
“For four consecutive years, our power engineers have proven that the light holds thanks to people — their resilience, professionalism, and readiness to work even where it is dangerous. Every illuminated home, every hospital or school with electricity is the result of their daily work,” the company noted. “Although restoring power in Donetsk region is becoming increasingly difficult and dangerous, and in some places currently impossible, we will continue fighting for electricity supply for our customers — just as we have done for the past 10 years since Russia first invaded our country.”
Working in Donetsk region is extremely challenging. During the full-scale invasion, energy crews have come under fire more than 370 times while carrying out restoration work. Twenty-five power engineers have been injured.
Four years of the great war have proven: energy infrastructure may be a target, but its resilience is defined by people.
The light holds thanks to the power engineers.
* Taking into account that electricity was restored to some customers dozens of times.