Hungary has confirmed blocking a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine, demanding the restoration of oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline. Slovakia also refused to participate in a military loan for Ukraine, accusing it of politically delaying the resumption of supplies.
Robert Fico threatens to stop emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine. This will happen if Ukraine does not resume oil transit to Slovakia.
In the Odesa region, the enemy launched a night attack on a DTEK energy facility, resulting in significant damage. Repair work will take a long time, but energy workers are working to eliminate the consequences.
During the night, the enemy attacked the Odesa district with drones, damaging civilian and energy infrastructure. Two people were injured, one was hospitalized.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, during a visit to Ukraine, emphasized a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. He also warned of critical underfunding of humanitarian operations.
Ukraine has information about Russia's preparation of new strikes on energy infrastructure. The country will attract 600 million euros to strengthen energy resilience.
Ukrenergo announced that on February 21, scheduled power outages will be in effect in most regions of Ukraine. This is due to the consequences of Russian attacks on energy facilities.
Poland will continue to finance the operation of Starlink terminals in Ukraine, ensuring uninterrupted communication for hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure. Since the full-scale invasion, Poland has provided over 29,000 Starlink terminals.
On February 20-25, water levels are expected to rise and possible flooding in a number of regions. Rescuers urge residents of coastal areas to be vigilant.
Ukraine has agreed to attract over 600 million euros in financial and technical assistance for the restoration of its energy sector. The country will also receive equipment from at least six decommissioned European combined heat and power plants (CHPPs) and thermal power plants (TPPs).
In Odesa region, after the Russian attack, critical infrastructure was powered up and electricity was restored to over 30,000 families. 68.4 thousand households remain without electricity due to significant damage.
2025 was the deadliest year for civilians, and the real number of victims could be much higher.
As a result of hostilities and bad weather, consumers in 9 regions of Ukraine have been cut off from power, with the situation in Odesa region remaining difficult. Hourly and emergency blackouts are in effect in most regions, and electricity consumption is increasing.
Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger visited Kyiv with a delegation to assess the situation and send a signal of support to Ukraine. She noted the brutality of Russian attacks and heating problems in Kyiv.
The Cabinet of Ministers will form a coordination center for the rapid recovery of communities after shelling. Government officials, the Office of the President, and regional leaders will be involved in the work.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih. Ukraine expects increased support for Ukrainians from the Office of the UN High Commissioner.
On February 20, scheduled power outages and capacity restrictions will be in effect in most regions of Ukraine. These are the consequences of Russian attacks on energy facilities.
France will allocate 71 million euros in grant aid to Ukraine, part of which will go to support the energy sector. The agreement was reached during a meeting with the French Minister of Economy, Finance, Industry, Energy and Digital Sovereignty, Roland Lescure.
European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen stated that Brussels is not pressuring Ukraine regarding the timeline for restoring the Druzhba oil pipeline. Oil from Russia is supplied to Hungary and Slovakia via this pipeline.
That is why Ukraine needs to quickly build up battery complexes in the near future to accumulate daytime generation and use it during evening peaks, reducing restrictions and increasing the stability of the energy system.
Hungary is considering halting electricity and gas exports to Ukraine if Kyiv does not resume the supply of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of delaying the resumption of supplies for political reasons.
Energy experts warn: it is technically impossible to decentralize the generation of large urban combined heat and power plants in one inter-heating season, and for Kyiv, such a transformation could require about 7 billion euros in investments and 3-5 years of work.
In the Chernihiv region, an accident on a 110 kV overhead line led to a power outage in Chernihiv, Slavutych, and part of the Chernihiv district. Energy workers are working to restore electricity supply.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine is preparing solutions for the reconstruction and renewal of communities' energy supply. A coordination center will be established at the government level to systematize communities' experience.
A single platform of government support programs for the population, HOAs, businesses, and communities during the winter period has started operating in Ukraine. The platform energy.kmu.gov.ua provides complete information about current support opportunities, conditions, and application procedures.
Key problems in the regions are vulnerable distribution networks due to lack of protection and strikes on boiler houses, which can leave people without heat.
Due to hostilities and shelling of energy infrastructure, consumers in 5 regions have been cut off from electricity. In Odesa region, the electricity situation remains difficult after previous enemy attacks.
Energy infrastructure facilities have been damaged in Russia's Belgorod, leading to power and heat supply disruptions. Power outages have partially affected Belgorod, Shebekino, and the Shebekino district.
The Cabinet of Ministers instructed to prepare the necessary resources to overcome the consequences of spring floods. The Ministry of Economy and other agencies will provide proposals for supporting people and businesses.
On February 19, hourly shutdown schedules and power restrictions for industrial consumers will be in effect in Ukraine. The reason is the consequences of Russian attacks on energy facilities.
