The event held in Brussels was aimed to scrutinise potential threats to Europe’s critical energy infrastructure through the prism of Ukraine’s experiences. It also sought to explore collaborative efforts between Ukraine and European partners to address prevailing challenges and bolster the resilience of the European energy sector, to which Ukraine also contributes.

The gathering was attended by Ukrainian energy specialists, members of the European Parliament, as well as energy and security experts from the European Commission, diplomats and think-tankers.

Victoria Voytsitska, ICUV’s Advocacy Director in the energy sector, moderated the discussion. The speakers included:

• Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, Chairman of the Management Board, National Power Company Ukrenergo (online)
• Olga Aivazovska, Head of the Board, OPORA Civil Network; Co-founder of ICUV
• Olga Babiy, Member of the National Commission for State Regulation in Energy and Utilities
• Inna Sovsun, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament; Head of the Sub-committee on Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to the EU Acquis of the Committee on Energy and Utilities
• Serhii Nazarenko, Head of the Office for Identification and Countering Threats to Critical Infrastructure Objects, NPC Ukrenergo

“Ukrainians were not thinking that the consequences of the attacks on the energy grid and infrastructure would be so dire. To survive such circumstances, Ukrainian energy operators, emergency services, and municipal services had to respond promptly to threats, changing crisis protocols or creating new ones”.

—  shared Victoria Voytsitska.

Viktoria expressed that Ukraine has endured this challenging experience and is prepared to share it, ensuring that no European will ever encounter a similar situation.

During the event, Olga Aivazovska presented a study on the impact of Russian shelling and blackouts on the depopulation of Ukraine conducted by Opora Network with ICUV and Vodafone. The study tracked daily population migration using mobile operator data, establishing a causal relationship between shelling of critical infrastructure and departures. It highlighted how shelling and power outages served as motivations for people to leave Ukrainian cities and the country.

“The depopulation of Ukraine and the massive non-return of its citizens home are defined as one of the goals of the Russian Federation in the war. This study will be submitted to the International Criminal Court along with other analytical materials and the Center for Investigation of Aggression Crimes (ICPA), serving as evidence of war crimes and actions by Russians with signs of aggression”

— stated Olga.

In addition to discussions, participants explored an exhibition featuring photographs captured by Ukrainian photographers during blackouts in Ukrainian cities, medical and educational institutions, energy facilities, and ordinary Ukrainian homes. Among the contributing photographers were Viacheslav Ratynskyi, Yakiv Liashenko, Serhii Karavayniy, Yurii Stefanyak, Sergii Kovalev, and several others.

This discussion marked the beginning of a series of initiatives within a broader advocacy campaign aimed at fostering close cooperation between Ukraine and European partners in the realm of energy security.

It was organized by ICUV in partnership with Ukrainian Civil Society Hub in Brussels.