Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Oleksandr Vyazovchenko took part in the First International Forum on Critical Infrastructure Protection, organized with the support of the U.S. Civil Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). The event gathered more than 750 participants, including over 600 representatives of the National Critical Infrastructure Protection System and more than 60 delegates from international partner organizations representing 18 countries.
The Forum focused on key challenges in the field of critical infrastructure protection, including the development of public-private partnerships, strengthening military-civil cooperation, and the exchange of international best practices.
Oleksandr Vyazovchenko spoke during the panel discussion “The Impact of Destruction on the Functioning of Critical Infrastructure Facilities: Ensuring Business Continuity.”
He emphasized that coordinated collaboration between government institutions, businesses, and international partners is essential to reinforcing Ukraine’s energy resilience and ensuring effective protection of critical infrastructure facilities.
“Russia attacks Ukrainian energy facilities daily. The enemy continuously modernizes its strike tactics and introduces new technologies. Therefore, we must respond promptly and adapt our protection systems accordingly. This work is ongoing and carried out in close cooperation with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Service of Special Communications, and energy companies,” the Deputy Minister noted.
Mr. Vyazovchenko highlighted that today, nearly all critical energy facilities have a second level of protective fortifications. These defensive structures have already demonstrated their effectiveness, preserving high-value and scarce equipment even after direct hits from strike drones - and in some cases, after several consecutive attacks.
