By KYIV. Nov 15 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The State Agency for Restoration will complete the construction of protective structures at the energy facilities before December 1, 2024, and at a number of facilities – by the middle of February, Head of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine Yuriy Schyhol has said in an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency.
“The Restoration Agency actively continues the construction of protective structures at the energy facilities and the works on the majority of them will be completes by December 1, 2024, and on a number of facilities – by the middle of February,” he said.
According to the official, Ukraine is prepared for the upcoming winter much better than last year. The Special Communications Service, jointly with Ukrenergo, the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, the Energy Ministry, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Restoration Agency, and private companies, coordinates the work on the creation of protective structures against drone attacks on energy facilities.
Also, the Special Communications Service, in cooperation with the General Staff and the Restoration Agency, participates in the development of projects to move critical infrastructure elements under the ground. Clear guidelines for the selection of materials and constructions have been already developed.
“The facilities are ready for defense. However, we currently have a specific number of air defense systems, and this number is not enough to protect all facilities which need this. The president and the government work every day to increase the number of air defense systems. However, our aggressive neighbor has a lot of missiles. And if it massively launches them, strikes cannot be ruled out. If this happens, some region may be cut off electricity supply maybe for two, three or five hours, and maybe even for a longer time. We should be prepared for anything and understand that there is absolutely no safe place in the country until the war goes on,” Schyhol said.
