Renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure are increasing pressure on electricity, heating and essential services as winter approaches. For organisations with personnel in the country, the consequences extend across accommodation, communications, medical support and the ability to maintain operations.
AFP reported on 8 November that DTEK attributed power losses affecting more than 600,000 residents in Dnipropetrovsk to an overnight attack. Significant outages were also reported in Kharkiv, while President Volodymyr Zelensky said a strike had left 140 apartment buildings in Zhytomyr without heating. These figures describe the reported impact at that time, rather than current restoration status.
The practical concern for employers is how repeated interruptions could affect the arrangements supporting their people. A functioning office provides limited continuity if employees cannot access suitable accommodation, communicate reliably or reach essential services.
Why Ukraine’s winter energy risks require continuing review
The International Energy Agency’s assessment, published on 4 November, warns that Ukraine is likely to face electricity shortages during the 2026–2027 winter. Their severity will depend on the intensity of attacks and weather conditions. Ukraine has strengthened distributed generation, storage and equipment reserves. However, the IEA identifies continuing vulnerabilities, including network constraints that limit how imported electricity reaches eastern regions.
Heating is a particular concern. More than 30% of Ukrainian households rely on district heating. When those systems fail, increased use of electric heaters can place additional demand on an already strained network. For organisations, winter preparedness should therefore be reviewed throughout an assignment. Assessments made before departure may need adjusting after further attacks, changes in temperature or deterioration in local services.
Power disruption can affect several essential services at once
Electricity supply is connected to water, heating, healthcare and communications. An outage may consequently affect several parts of a traveller’s support arrangements simultaneously. The World Health Organization’s winter risk assessment warns that attacks on energy infrastructure threaten the uninterrupted provision of electricity, heating, water and essential health services. It identifies particularly serious consequences for frontline and recently affected communities. (who.int)
The implications should be assessed locally. A hotel, hospital or project site may retain backup power while surrounding services become less reliable. Organisations should establish which essential activities depend on external utilities, what backup arrangements actually support and how long those arrangements can be maintained. Provider assurances should be checked against the services personnel need during a prolonged interruption.
Essential travel to Ukraine requires a complete journey assessment
As checked on 10 November, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all travel to most of Ukraine and against all but essential travel to specified western regions. Missile and drone attacks remain a risk across the country. Ukraine’s airspace remains closed. (gov.uk)
International journeys therefore generally require a road or rail connection from a neighbouring country. Planning should cover the entire movement, including border procedures, onward transport, arrival arrangements and local restrictions. Rail services remain an important connection, but availability does not guarantee an uninterrupted journey. Ukrainian government rules introduced in September provide for boarding and departures to be suspended during red-level air threats, with passengers directed to shelters.
A delay can also affect the next stage of the itinerary. Employers should consider what happens if a traveller arrives after their transfer becomes unavailable, cannot reach their accommodation or encounters a local movement restriction. Effective travel risk management connects travel approval with current route conditions, suitable accommodation and assistance arrangements throughout the assignment.
Accommodation resilience needs to be verified
For winter assignments, accommodation should be assessed against its ability to support personnel during both infrastructure disruption and security incidents. A generator does not necessarily supply every room or sustain heating, hot water, lifts and internet access. Delegation coordinators and employers should confirm:
Which services remain available during an outage.
How heating operates when mains electricity is unavailable.
Whether water storage or alternative supplies are provided.
How backup systems are maintained and refuelled.
Where the designated shelter is and how occupants reach it.
What alternative accommodation could be used if conditions deteriorate.
These checks should reflect individual requirements, including mobility limitations and medical needs. The decision to change accommodation should be made before the loss of essential services leaves personnel with fewer practical options.
Medical and evacuation arrangements require advance coordination
Medical planning should account for the possibility that the nearest facility may not provide the care required or may be affected by the same disruption as the traveller’s accommodation. FCDO health guidance notes interruptions to medical supply chains and warns that it cannot confirm all listed healthcare providers remain operational. Organisations should verify suitable facilities and assistance contacts before travel and review them as conditions change. (gov.uk)
With civil airspace closed, an international medical transfer may require ground movement before an onward flight can be considered. The appropriate arrangement depends on clinical assessment, route conditions, permissions and provider availability. Insurance should be checked for the actual destination, activities and circumstances of the assignment. Employers should establish how treatment or transport would be authorised and funded, including where exclusions or restrictions apply.
Communication plans should work during an outage
Personnel accountability becomes harder when a traveller cannot charge a device or access their usual network. Organisations should agree check-in times, alternative communication methods and a clear escalation process for missed contact. Employees should have essential telephone numbers, addresses and meeting instructions available offline.
A missed check-in should trigger an agreed response rather than an improvised series of calls. The procedure should identify who checks the itinerary, contacts local support and decides whether further action is required. Travellers should identify shelters in advance and follow local instructions when air alerts are issued. Communication arrangements must support those actions without delaying them.
Business continuity depends on people and suppliers
Backup electricity at one site addresses only part of the continuity requirement. Companies should examine fuel deliveries, maintenance support, refrigeration, communications and the availability of essential staff. They should also check whether suppliers and transport providers can maintain their own services during extended outages.
Where teams operate across several locations, priorities may differ. One site may require reduced activity, another temporary relocation and another additional logistical support. An effective business continuity and preparedness programme defines which activities must continue, the conditions needed to sustain them and who can authorise changes. Plans should include clear thresholds for restricting travel, moving personnel, reducing operations or preparing departure. They should also define the evidence required before normal activity resumes.
Preparing for the 2026–2027 winter
Ukraine’s winter infrastructure risks require continuing attention alongside the wider conflict. The duration of an outage, the services affected and the options available to personnel will vary by location. Organisations should maintain an accurate picture of their people, operational dependencies and support arrangements, with responsibility for turning changes in that picture into decisions.
Stratum Global Risk supports organisations through travel risk management, crisis preparedness and operational assistance, connecting planning with practical coordination when circumstances change. For employers maintaining essential activities in Ukraine, that means keeping personnel welfare, movement arrangements and business continuity within the same response framework.