With half its energy grid destroyed, Ukraine secures Spanish generator aid

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has expressed gratitude to Spain for its continued support, particularly the planned delivery of 70 power generators to help Ukraine withstand the harsh winter and ongoing Russian attacks on critical infrastructure.

Sybiha made the announcement via X following a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, Caliber.Az reports.

“I was glad to meet with my Spanish friend J.M. Albares on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg,” Sybiha wrote.

The ministers discussed strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities and energy resilience, with particular focus on military-technical cooperation and Spain’s contributions to the EU’s PURL and SAFE assistance programs.

“I thanked Spain for the announced energy assistance to Ukraine—70 generators—which will arrive soon. We value this assistance to the Ukrainian people ahead of winter,” Sybiha stated.

He also underscored the urgent need to maintain pressure on Moscow through additional sanctions, calling for the swift adoption of the EU’s 19th sanctions package and further visa restrictions targeting Russian individuals.

Additionally, Sybiha highlighted opportunities for greater cooperation between Ukrainian and Spanish cities and regions, as well as humanitarian initiatives. “I deeply appreciate Spain’s commitment to the rehabilitation of Ukrainian children from frontline areas,” he said.

Earlier that day, Spanish Foreign Minister Albares confirmed that the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation would be dispatching 70 new generators to Ukraine in the coming days.

The assistance comes as Ukraine braces for another difficult winter following extensive damage to its energy infrastructure caused by Russian missile and drone strikes. Since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, roughly half of Ukraine’s power generation capacity has been destroyed, leading to frequent rolling blackouts lasting up to 12 hours in some regions.

In response to the worsening energy crisis, the European Union announced on October 13 that it was preparing an additional €100 million (approximately $116.5 million) in winter aid to Ukraine. Other EU countries have also stepped up support: Poland has pledged additional assistance, and Italy has delivered hundreds of tons of energy-related equipment, including 52 electric generators worth €660,000 ($769,000), through the Italian Agency of Development Cooperation.

By Vafa Guliyeva