The Times: Meet the electricians braving bombs to keep Ukraine's power on

“In a city under attack, electricity is life. But for how long can the engineers in Ukraine’s war-ravaged Donbas region keep it going?”.

Anthony Loyd, a war correspondent with British newspaper The Times, recently accompanied DTEK power engineers on their daily mission to help restore power to thousands in Ukraine's Donbas region. His piece provides an in-depth look at the work of DTEK's electrical engineers in Pokrovsk, a city currently affected by the ongoing war.

Loyd's report highlights the efforts of DTEK professionals to maintain power infrastructure under constant attack. The article quotes Vitalii, the 46-year-old DTEK's Pokrovsk electrical operations chief, who explains their mission: 

"We are the true warriors of light. Our soldiers fight to hold trench lines—we fight to repair power lines. Our mission is critical. Without electrical power, there is no life."

Loyd's report emphasises electricity's critical role in sustaining life in a besieged city. The DTEK teams work tirelessly to repair damaged substations, power lines, and electrical infrastructure, often under the threat of artillery fire and aerial bombardment. Despite the relentless attacks on the city's energy system, their efforts have been crucial in keeping approximately 80% of Pokrovsk powered.

The report also provides an account of the dangers DTEK's workers face. During Loyd’s visit, russian aircraft dropped bombs over the city as the electricians began their shift, with one bomb passing directly over a team.

Despite these hazardous conditions, the DTEK engineers persist in their work. Oleksandr, a 47-year-old engineer, describes their challenges: "Sometimes we have to work crawling on our bellies. The worst is when you are 20 metres up in a crane working to reconnect a pylon line and the shells start falling."

Loyd also touches on DTEK's workers' personal challenges, noting that many have relocated their families to safer areas while continuing their work in Pokrovsk. Despite these difficulties, these professionals remain committed to their mission of providing power to the remaining 15,000 civilians in the city.

Photo by The Times