The UK will give Ukraine £20m to help bolster its energy infrastructure after it incurred significant damage from Russian strikes.

Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukraine’s energy infrastructure throughout the war, severely damaging key power plants, grid networks and heating systems. Large thermal power stations including Trypilska (pictured above) and Zmiivska have been permanently disabled by Russian fire, while combined heat and power facilities like Kharkiv TEC-5 were knocked offline by missile and drone attacks. 

Russian forces have also hit high-voltage substations and transmission lines, and caused extensive damage to hydroelectric facilities on the Dnipro River.

But with temperatures across Ukraine plummeting to as low as -20°C over the winter, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have been left without essential heat and power. The UK funding will provide vital emergency support to repair, restore, protect and generate energy supply nationwide, and keep electricity and heating on in homes, hospitals and schools.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “As we mark a year of our unique partnership, we do so in awe of the courage and resilience demonstrated by Ukrainians every day as they repel Russia’s barbaric invasion.

“The people of Ukraine should be in no doubt – we will stand with you today, tomorrow and for the next 100 years, both at home and on the international stage, because what happens in Ukraine matters to us all.”

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Our bilateral ties extend far beyond the conflict, from opening new doors to trade and growth for British businesses, deepening defence cooperation, partnering to drive innovations in science and technology, and deepening our educational and cultural ties, we are building lasting security and shared prosperity for Ukraine, for the UK and for future generations.”

The UK and Ukraine have also recently agreed on a £1.6bn deal to supply advanced air defence missiles to Ukraine, creating 200 jobs in Northern Ireland, a 20% increase in UK exports, with further efforts to remove barriers stopping British businesses in sectors such as pharmaceutical and construction.

Last year, the EU announced a “gradual and well-coordinated” roadmap to completely eliminate its reliance on Russian fossil fuels in the following two years.