Deputy Minister for Reconstruction Oliynyk will be responsible for the protection of Kyiv region's energy sector

• Ruslan Oliynyk has been appointed responsible for the protection of Kyiv region's energy sector
• Protection must be completed by November 15
• Questions about bureaucracy and timelines remain

Protection of energy facilities in Kyiv region

In the context of the ongoing conflict, the protection of energy facilities in the Kyiv region has become a priority task. Deputy Minister for Restoration Ruslan Oliynyk has been appointed responsible for implementing the protection plan, which must be completed by November 15. As part of this plan, a second level of protection for main substations and a first level for life-support facilities is to be established. This is necessary to prevent drone attacks, which have become frequent lately.

According to information provided by the Ministry of Restoration, a working group led by Oliynyk is to accelerate construction work and simplify administrative procedures. However, questions remain about whether bureaucracy will not become a bottleneck in the process. Energy facilities in the Kyiv region, such as substations and power lines, have become targets for attacks, highlighting the need for their protection.

The large-scale strikes on the region's energy sector this autumn confirmed that Kyiv region requires special attention. In mid-October, an interagency working group was established to assist in the implementation of planned measures for the protection of critical infrastructure. The group includes representatives from various ministries and energy companies, which should facilitate more effective coordination of actions.

The appointment of Ruslan Oliynyk and his tasks

The comprehensive resilience plan, developed back in February 2026, includes four blocks: backup power for critical infrastructure facilities, decentralized electricity generation, decentralized thermal generation, and physical protection of critical facilities. Each region independently determines priority facilities, allowing for local characteristics and needs to be taken into account.

Kyiv region received over 1 billion hryvnias for the implementation of the plan, however, the distribution of funds has been delayed, leading to a failure to meet the initial deadline. In mid-September, funding was activated, but in conditions of austerity, it is important to allocate resources as efficiently as possible. Streamlining this process has become one of the key tasks of Olinik's working group.

The protocols of the working group contain guidelines on priorities and deadlines for task completion, as well as the scope of inspections. Most activities should be completed by November 15. It is important to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the readiness of substations and identify problematic issues that may hinder timely completion of work.

Protection plan and its implementation

Local authorities and energy companies must determine contractors for connecting substations to the power grid in the coming days. It is also necessary to conduct a financial audit of the work already completed and agree on the actual volumes and costs of the work. These steps are critically important for ensuring the livelihood of the population in wartime conditions.

Ruslan Oliynyk is actively engaged in checking the readiness of facilities and coordinating issues related to deadlines and financing. His task is to ensure the interaction of all involved bodies and organizations, which should contribute to the prompt resolution of emerging problems.

The state of affairs in the protection of energy facilities directly affects the ability to accomplish the set tasks. Oliynyk must ensure that all necessary calculations with contractors are completed before transferring the client's functions to the Recovery Agency.

Bureaucracy and risks of plan execution

An important aspect is the need for the prompt identification of problematic issues and risks that may hinder the completion of work. This includes adjusting project and estimate documentation and identifying debts for completed work.

Given the current situation, the implementation of the protection plan for energy facilities in Kyiv region is becoming not only a matter of security but also of the economic stability of the region. Effective implementation of measures can significantly impact the functioning of the entire economy of the country.

Thus, the appointment of Ruslan Oliynyk to this position underscores the importance of protecting energy infrastructure in wartime conditions. The success of the plan depends on the coordinated efforts of all participants in the process and the ability to overcome bureaucratic obstacles.

Source: UNIAN