U.S. announces $53 million will be given to Ukraine to repair power system

The United States has announced plans to provide $53 million to Ukraine to assist them with the repairing damage to their energy infrastructure which has come as a result of missile attacks from Russian armed forces.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the announcement in a meeting with NATO allies and Group of Seven members on Tuesday.

“This new assistance is in addition to $55 million in emergency energy sector support for generators and other equipment to help restore emergency power and heat to local municipalities impacted by Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s power system,” the State Department said on their website.

“We will continue to identify additional support with allies and partners, and we are also helping to devise long-term solutions for grid restoration and repair, along with our assistance for Ukraine’s effort to advance the energy transition and build an energy system decoupled from Russian energy.”

The Department of State also confirmed that the supply package from the U.S. will include key equipment such as distribution transformers, circuit breakers, surge arresters, disconnectors and vehicles. 

According to The Hill, Ukraine’s Energy Ministry said last week that Russia’s missile attacks on their energy infrastructure has resulted in Ukrainians losing electricity nationwide and has resulted in temporary blackouts at power plants. As of Friday, at least three nuclear power plants were back online.