The European Union is stepping up emergency support to Ukraine after relentless Russian missile and drone strikes knocked out power, heating and water supplies for more than one million
people during brutal winter conditions, with temperatures plunging to –20°C.
On Tuesday, the European Commission announced the deployment of 447 emergency generators, valued at €3.7 million, from the EU’s strategic rescEU reserves. The generators are intended to restore electricity to hospitals, shelters and other essential services in the hardest-hit regions.
The equipment, currently hosted in Poland, will be delivered to affected communities by Ukraine’s Ministry for the Development of Communities and Territories, working alongside the Ukrainian Red Cross. Priority will be given to areas where energy infrastructure has suffered the most severe damage.
EU officials say the latest deployment is part of a broader, long-term effort to shore up Ukraine’s energy resilience amid continued attacks. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the EU has sent nearly 10,000 generators to Ukraine through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).
Ahead of this winter, the European Commission also completed the relocation of an entire thermal power plant donated by Lithuania — the largest logistical operation ever coordinated under the UCPM — to help restore critical capacity to Ukraine’s electricity grid.
“The European Union strongly condemns Russia’s attacks on civilian energy infrastructure and the severe humanitarian consequences they cause,” the Commission said in a statement. “We will not allow Russia to freeze Ukraine into submission. Our support will continue throughout the winter.”
Beyond emergency power supplies, the EU has provided extensive humanitarian and energy assistance since the invasion began. More than €1.2 billion has been allocated for humanitarian aid, with over 160,000 tonnes of supplies delivered, including solid fuels, heating equipment, generators and mobile heating points.
In parallel, at least €3 billion has been directed toward strengthening Ukraine’s energy security. This includes €927 million mobilized ahead of winter for emergency gas purchases, while EU electricity export capacity to Ukraine has been pushed to its maximum level.
As winter deepens and attacks persist, EU leaders stress that maintaining heat, light and essential services for Ukrainian civilians remains a top priority.