Dear colleagues, fellow Ukrainians.

The russian army has determined our energy sector as one of the key targets for its attacks. Shelling of generation sector, that is, facilities that produce electricity. Attacks on electricity distribution systems, i.e. the power grid due to which each of us has light in homes.

Through October 10 - 20, a s aresult of missile strikes there have been damaged more than 400 facilities in 16 regions of our country, including dozens of energy facilities.

Simultaneously, Ukrainian energy facilities suffer constant cyber attacks.

russian propagandists and officials speak openly about the purpose of all these attacks: Ukraine, according to them, should be left without water, without light, without heat.

Our objective is to prevent this from happening. Despite the fact that the energy infrastructure has been under attack for more than a week, the situation remains difficult but under control.

We have significantly increased the number of repair crews. Additional equipment for repairs was purchased and is stored in safe locations. Partner countries constantly render the necessary assistance.

A USD 55 million resource has been allocated by the USA for the repair and maintenance of gas pipelines, as well as the provision of electric generators, alternative sources of fuel for social infrastructure. The Netherlands plan to provide EUR 70 million. Denmark helps with organization of the heating season in Mykolaiv region.

We have preliminary agreements with Norway and Great Britain on the supply of gas, especially in case of critical need this winter. The EU and Canada are also joining in the aid.

Distribution system operators from Belgium, Poland, Germany, Italy and other countries transfer generators, equipment for transformer houses, wires, insulators for high-voltage transmission lines and many other equipment to our Ukrenergo company. Handing over not only now, but all these months, thanks to which we have the ability to restore the electricity supply faster.

All services are working on the ground 24/7. Restrictions and outages are possible, especially in regions demonstrating traditionally high consumption and in those that have suffered from rocket attacks - in the central, northeastern and western regions. But almost all territories controlled by Ukraine are provided with electricity. Currently, 99% of settlements where there is no electricity on a permanent basis are either occupied territories or settlements in the immediate vicinity of the combat zone, and we have no opportunities to make repairs there.

Therefore, I will emphasize once again: power companies can turn off electricity for a certain time, but this is done to carry out repairs and balance the work of our energy system.

At the same time, it is crucial to continue to consume electricity sparingly in the morning and in the evening to prevent outages. This applies not only to the population but to businesses as well. Yesterday, Ukrainians in the evening reduced consumption by 5.4%, compared to the previous day. This is our response to the enemy and we must be prolong such approach! Chernivtsi, Khmelnytsky, Poltava and Sumy regions, that showed the largest decrease in consumption, are especially worth mentioning. Let the whole country continue to help our energy system and energy workers and economize electricity for this purpose.

***

Unfortunately, it is also obvious that the russian terror will last. This applies not only to the power system, but also to water and heat supply facilities. Disruptions are possible, so everyone should be prepared. Make a supply of technical and drinking water. Prepare warm clothes, batteries, flashlights, power banks. All this is necessary in these conditions.

Yesterday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that we can observe the preparation of russian troops to commit another terrorist attack on the territory of the Kherson region. It is about the fact that the russians mined the dam and units of the Kakhovska HPP. This terrorist attack can lead to many thousands of victims and the flooding of dozens of settlements. Therefore, we appeal to the UN, the EU and other organizations to organize an international monitoring mission to the Kakhovska HPP. International specialists together with Ukrainian personnel should arrive at the station immediately.

At the same time, we have warned and still urge people from the occupied Kherson region and other regions to immediately leave for the unoccupied territories of Ukraine. The Government, local authorities and international humanitarian organizations are ready to help.

Also, in this regard, the Government will approve a resolution today that will facilitate the return of Ukrainians who were deported to russia. There are hundreds of thousands of such people. And we have already come across situations when Ukrainians were deported without any documents or had their documents confiscated later. Therefore, we are launching an identity document for returning to Ukraine. Family members of deported people can obtain this document from the State Migration Service. Obtaining the document will also be possible on the basis of an application submitted to the Ministry for Reintegration of Temporary Occupied Territories. Issuance of the certificate will be free of charge and will be carried out in five working days. We will do everything to help every Ukrainian to get back home.

Another important topic to which I would like to get back to and which concerns energy sector. This week, the heating season begins in Ukraine. Hospitals, schools and other social facilities are either already connected or are being connected to heat right now. The housing stock is also starting to be gradually connected in most cities all over the country.

I would like to separately address representatives of local authorities with a reminder and appeal to approach with similar economy to the consumption of energy resources. The Government did not raise gas tariffs and made it possible to purchase it at a discounted price. But this does not mean that no one pays for this gas. That's why savings and savings again. Electricity, gas, heat. All this is important for victory in the energy front.

Just as it is important to pay for utility services. Every hryvnia of yours is a timely repair, additional equipment, an opportunity to supply light, water and heat to every household.

The Government haven’t raised tariffs. We have not canceled and do not plan to cancel the subsidy program. Assistance programs for displaced persons and those who provided them with shelter have been extended. Therefore, please approach the issue of paying utilities responsibly.

The Government also continues the policy of supporting regions and communities. Today we are to approve a resolution stipulating for the reducing of the annual loan rate to 0.25% for thermal modernization projects in administrative buildings, schools and hospitals. We are talking about a program from the European Investment Bank to the tune of EUR 300 million, which was signed 2 years ago. We revised the terms, and from now on the communities actually get the possibility of almost interest-free loans for the relevant thermal modernization projects. This will help reduce energy consumption in the future.

Finally, we have another extremely important decision in the field of education. We have to adopt a resolution that will allow students of colleges and higher educational institutions, who are currently studying on a contract basis, to switch to budget financing. What categories of students are we talking about? First, it concerns the children of the fallen Defenders of Ukraine, participants in hostilities, and their children. Second, it will also apply to internally displaced persons who have moved from communities under occupation or where hostilities see the active phase. All students from these categories, who were enrolled under a contract until 2021 inclusive, will be able to continue their studies at the expense of the state. In general, we are talking about more than 80,000 people this year. This year, the state will allocate UAH 363 million for the corresponding project.

Amidst the difficult economic situation with the displaced people, as well as the support of Ukrainians who were defending and continue to defend Ukraine, the Government considers this project to be a correct and fair decision.

We were fighting! We continue our battle! And we will win!

Thank you for attention. Glory to Ukraine!