Ukraine seeks energy imports surge due to Russian strikes

Ukraine’s new energy minister on Friday ordered state companies to ratchet up imports from abroad, pointing to the struggles plaguing the grid after a systematic bombing campaign by Russia.Engineers and rescue crews have been braving sub-zero temperatures to restore operations at power plants and substations battered over recent days by Russian drones and missiles.For the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, visit our dedicated page.“State companies, primarily Ukrainian Railways and Naftogaz, must urgently ensure the procurement of imported electric energy during the 2025-26 heating season amounting to at least 50 percent of total consumption,” Energy Minister Denys Shmygal said in a statement.The minister did not give data on how much electricity Ukraine currently generates or imports, information that authorities have withheld due to war-time sensitivities.Russian drone and missile attacks have recently plunged entire cities into darkness and left millions with sporadic or no