Statement by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal at a Government session

Yesterday, russian troops launched another terrorist attack on Vinnytsia. There have already been reported about 23 dead, including three children. Unfortunately, the number of casualties may be even higher. Our rescuers continue to search for people and dismantle the debris.

The shelling of the center of Vinnytsia is a deliberate war crime against the civilian population, it is a terrorist strategy. But for Vinnytsia, Kharkiv, Chasiv Yar, Mykolaiv and dozens of other cities, there will definitely be retribution. Punishment will surely be meted out to those who executed the orders and to those who gave these orders.

Terrorist attacks committed by russia are aimed not only at civilian, but at critical infrastructure as well. Under these circumstances, we understand that there is an extremely challenging heating season ahead. Therefore, we have been engaged in active preparation for various scenarios for 3 months now. We have established the appropriate headquarters at the highest level. Such preparation includes 4 main aspects: sufficient gas reserves, sufficient coal reserves, readiness of energy-generating enterprises and infrastructure, preparation for emergency situations.

First. Gas is being pumped into Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities. As of today, Ukraine has already pumped 11.3 billion cubic meters of gas. Almost 3 billion cubic meters of blue fuel have been pumped since the beginning of the year. Opportunities have been created for the physical reverse delivery of gas from Europe. Despite the military action, gas production by the state-owned company Ukrgazvydobuvannya has hardly decreased. Naftogaz is tasked with accumulating 19 billion cubic meters in storages before the start of the heating season.

The second aspect. Sufficient coal reserves. As of mid-July, we have 1.5 million tons of coal. This is two and a half times more than the guaranteed reserves defined by official documents for this time. We continue to increase domestic production. We are shaping agreements with partner countries so that by the beginning of the heating season, our reserves will exceed 2 million tons.

The third. Readiness of energy-generating enterprises and infrastructure facilities. Currently, on average, the work on preparing heat supply facilities, housing stock, and social facilities for the heating season has already been completed. Almost UAH 300 million has been allocated for repairs of three CHP plants in Chernihiv, Kremenchuk and Okhtyrka. Repairs of boiler houses and power grids continue.

The fourth. The Government has allotted UAH 1.4 billion for the purchase of stand-by equipment for regions given the emergency situations arise. When your geographic neighbor is an insane terrorist, we have to prepare for any scenario.

Another issue that directly affects the heating season is tariffs and subsidies. As promised, all tariffs remain unchanged this winter. Likewise, the Government will prolong the payment of subsidies to Ukrainians who need help paying utility bills.

Cooperation with international partners. Just this month, we have agreed with the World Bank and the EBRD on allocating over $500 million to Ukraine to gear up for the heating season.

Today we will also approve the Joint Declaration of Association between the Government and the International Energy Agency to strengthen our cooperation and interaction. Ukraine already sells electricity to Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova. In the first half of the year, Ukraine increased revenue from electricity exports by one and a half times compared to last year. All this happens due to joining the energy system of Europe. We will actively continue this direction.