Zelenskyy Names Koretskyi Prime Minister as Ukraine Braces for Hardest Winter Since 2022
Updated
Updated · International Business Times · Aug 3
Zelenskyy Names Koretskyi Prime Minister as Ukraine Braces for Hardest Winter Since 2022
2 articles · Updated · International Business Times · Aug 3
Summary
Sergii Koretskyi, the former Naftogaz chief, was appointed prime minister last month as Volodymyr Zelenskyy made winter readiness a top government priority.
Russian missile and drone strikes have intensified against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, while Kyiv still lacks enough advanced air defenses to shield power plants and heating facilities before the cold season.
Ukraine remains heavily reliant on Patriot PAC-3 systems, and domestic firms say building indigenous missile defenses normally takes 20 to 30 years, far too long to close gaps before winter.
Donald Trump has signaled more willingness to help Ukraine but said on July 30 he had not decided whether to let Kyiv manufacture Patriot interceptors domestically.
Zelenskyy has renewed appeals for U.S. and European air-defense support as officials warn energy resilience could again become a defining front of the war.
With domestic Patriot production years away, what alternative defense systems is Ukraine deploying to shield its decentralized energy grid this winter?
As Ukrainian strikes cripple Russian oil, will this unprecedented economic pressure force Moscow into a ceasefire before freezing temperatures hit?
Cabinet Upheaval and the €5.4 Billion Grid: Ukraine’s Fight for Energy, Reform, and Public Trust in Winter 2026
Overview
In July 2026, Ukraine underwent a dramatic government reshuffle as Sergii Koretskyi, known for his energy sector expertise, was appointed Prime Minister after Yulia Svyrydenko’s resignation. President Zelenskyy’s decision aimed to strengthen Ukraine’s energy resilience following the destruction of all thermal power plants by Russian attacks. However, the simultaneous dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had rapidly modernized Ukraine’s military with advanced drones, sparked widespread protests and a crisis of public trust. As Ukraine faces severe winter blackouts and ongoing Russian strikes, the government’s ability to secure international aid and implement anti-corruption reforms will be crucial for both wartime stability and progress toward European integration.