“United in defense, united in recovery, stronger together,” was a key slogan at the 2024 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) held in Berlin on June 11-12. It is an apt summation of Ukraine’s aspirations as it copes with the unprecedented destruction of approximately half of the country’s electric power and district heating capacity by targeted Russian missile attacks.
Without adequate air defenses it is futile to build new fixed capacity; without adequate power and heating, the prospects for Ukraine’s economic recovery are gloomy. While severe already, this problem will become critical in the coming winter months.
From Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who spoke at the opening session, to Ihor Terekhov, mayor of the beleaguered front line city of Kharkiv, the message was driven home: Air defense and electric power are inextricably intertwined, and both are desperately needed.
Ukraine’s partners appear to recognize the urgency of the situation. German Chancellor Olaf Sholz used the conference to announce that Germany will provide Ukraine with additional IRIS-T and Gepard air defense batteries. Italy confirmed plans to deliver another SAMP/T anti-missile battery. Just hours after the conference, Washington announced that it will be sending another Patriot anti-missile system to Ukraine.
This was certainly welcome news for Kyiv. However, the breadth and intensity of Russia’s attacks will require many more such deliverables to provide some assurance of the survivability of any new or rebuilt power plants.
Voice of Ukraine 