Ukraine is introducing round-the-clock resilience hubs, says Oleksii Kuleba.

The resilience hubs will have backup power, stable communications, water, and facilities for long-term stays, including for people with reduced mobility.

Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine — Minister for Communities and Territories Development, Oleksii Kuleba, took part in the first meeting of the Headquarters for Energy Infrastructure Damage Response in Kyiv, chaired by First Deputy Prime Minister — Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal.

In particular, on the instructions of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, they discussed compliance with the curfew and the functioning of resilience hubs in conditions of intense shelling and severe frosts.

“The network of resilience hubs is being expanded. As part of the national audit, more than 10,000 hubs across the country have already been inspected, and some of them are being re-equipped. An updated model is being prepared with a focus on round-the-clock resilience hubs — those that will operate 24/7, have backup power, stable communications, water, and facilities for long-term stays, including for people with reduced mobility,” Oleksii Kuleba emphasized.

Support for resilience hubs operating on the basis of private institutions is being worked out separately. In particular, this concerns compensation for the cost of generators and fuel. Kharkiv and Odesa already have positive experience of such cooperation, which will be scaled up.

The curfew regime remains unchanged and is not subject to cancellation or revision. This is a basic security measure that applies throughout the country and is mandatory. However, in the event of prolonged power or heat outages, the state must act flexibly without violating security requirements.

This refers to possible temporary and specific exceptions that will ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical life support facilities, enable people to safely reach points of resilience – similar to access to shelters – and ensure the operation of facilities that officially function as points of resilience.

Such decisions may concern ensuring the operation of critical infrastructure facilities, the ability to safely reach points of invincibility, and support for institutions that officially perform their function.

Any such exceptions may only be approved with the mandatory participation of the military command and defense councils and only where the security situation allows. Arbitrary decisions at the local level are unacceptable.

The strengthening of energy infrastructure protection was also discussed. The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, together with the Agency for Restoration, is already implementing an agreed plan of work at designated facilities.