NSDC decision: concise and to the point

The National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) on March 3 approved resilience plans for all oblasts and regional centers of Ukraine, except Kyiv. The information was released by President Volodymyr Zelensky on social media: the decision is intended to develop practical measures to protect infrastructure, logistics and the energy sector ahead of next winter.

“The experience of this winter will form the basis for further decisions, namely: upgrading protection for infrastructure, logistics, major energy facilities, restoring sites after Russian strikes, and providing additional capabilities for the energy sector.”

— Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine

Why Kyiv is a separate case

According to the official explanation, Kyiv was given extra time because the capital was not ready according to the standards the NSDC is embedding into the new plans. This is not a symbolic postponement — these are detailed, substantive documents that must take into account the lessons of the winter of 2025–2026.

Those lessons are painful and specific: massive attacks on the energy sector, prolonged blackouts, shutdowns of heating and hot water, the operation of warming centers and school closures; in several regions there were freezing peaks down to -25°C. It is precisely such scenarios the NSDC is trying to anticipate and neutralize.

International support and resource backing

As an element of social proof: the President of the European Commission officially announced a plan to support Ukraine’s energy system worth about €920 million for the winter of 2026–2027. It is a vote of confidence and a real resource — however, money alone will not replace planning and local coordination.

The government also reported measures to restore stations — in particular using equipment from old TPPs/CHPs in the region to repair Ukrainian capacity. But the equipment requires engineering integration, the supply of components and time to bring it online.

What this means for communities

The NSDC decision is not a one-off declaration. It concerns a range of practical steps: strengthening physical protection of key facilities, backup logistical chains, mobile power sources, evacuation plans for critical sites and algorithms for rapid service restoration. The key challenge is transforming plans into projects with clear timelines and financing.

Outlook

The coming months will determine how much the NSDC’s decisions translate into real network resilience and reliable services. The question is simple: will local authorities, the central government and partners be able to marshal resources into operational programs before the start of the heating season? The answer will decide whether last winter’s experience repeats or whether the system becomes significantly more resilient.