European Union Mobilises Emergency Generators for Ukraine

In response to relentless attacks on energy infrastructure and extreme temperatures of -20°C, the European Commission has activated the rescEU strategic reserve, deploying 447 generators to restore power to critical Ukrainian services.

Following attacks that left over one million Ukrainians without access to electricity, water, and heating, Europe has reinforced its humanitarian and strategic response. This new wave of support, announced on January 23, 2026, aims to prevent the harsh winter from being used as a weapon of war.

Details of the Energy Support

The European Commission has mobilised a total of 447 emergency generators, with an estimated value of €3.7 million. These units:

Are sourced from the rescEU strategic reserves, currently hosted in Poland to ensure rapid logistics;
Are intended to power hospitals, community shelters, and water supply infrastructures;
Will be distributed by the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, in close cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross.

The Role of the Civil Protection Mechanism

This operation is part of the ongoing effort of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, this mechanism has coordinated the delivery of over 160,000 tonnes of humanitarian and technical aid, including:

Solid fuels and emergency heating points;
Medical and pharmaceutical equipment;
Complex logistics for power grid maintenance.

Context and European Commitment

This initiative comes as a direct response to urgent needs on the ground, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to Ukraine’s energy resilience. The goal is to mitigate the humanitarian impact of power outages and ensure the survival of the most vulnerable populations during the winter.