Boris Johnson meets DTEK war veterans: We need air defences and technical support to restore Ukraine’s energy system

Ukrainian war veterans working at DTEK – Ukraine’s largest private energy company – told former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson their country needs more air defence systems to protect energy infrastructure as well as equipment to restore after repeated russian attacks.

The veterans, part of a delegation representing DTEK, Metinvest, and the Heart of Steel initiative, shared their experiences defending Ukraine on the military frontline — including during the battle for Mariupol — and spoke about their current work restoring power stations and grids repeatedly damaged by missiles and drones.

Boris Johnson paid tribute to the veterans and emphasised the importance of continued assistance. “The lesson of the last three years is that the faster the West gives the weapons, the better. You are fighting for us; you are fighting for freedom and that is why we must support you. Ukraine has amazing potential.”

Andrii, a veteran and now coal miner at a DTEK site in eastern Ukraine, told Johnson:

“Our energy facilities have been hit again and again over the past years. We manage to rebuild them, but without proper air defence and technical support, it’s never enough. We are defending Ukraine in a different way now — by keeping the lights on. But we need international support to protect the system and the people who work in it. What we are doing is a fight for our energy independence.”

The veterans’ visit is part of a broader initiative to show international solidarity and to support Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk ahead of his world title fight at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, DTEK’s energy infrastructure has been one of the primary targets of russian strikes. At the peak of destruction, 90% of its thermal generation capacity was damaged or destroyed. Despite the ongoing attacks, the company continues to restore critical infrastructure — thanks in part to the efforts of veterans who returned to civilian life and joined the frontline of Ukraine’s energy defence.