Light The Energy Crisis Due To War, Ukraine Prepares Millions Of LED Lamps For Its Citizens

Ukrainian refugees. (Wikimedia Commons/Lightdispellsudris)

JAKARTA - Ukrainians were urged to exchange old lights for free energy-efficient LED lights on Monday, under a scheme meant to ease energy shortages caused by Russian attacks.

Launching a program supported by the European Union and aimed at replacing 50 million light balls, Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said all adults would be able to swap five incandescent light balls for five LED lights at the post office.

The goal is to reduce a quarter of the energy deficit caused by Russian missile and drone attacks on electricity infrastructure that often causes millions of Ukrainians without lights, water, or heating in the next few months.

"Ukraine is fighting in the military, economy and energy," Svyrydenko told a news briefing.

"This is an important step towards reducing pressure on the Ukrainian energy system," he said.

One LEDIT uses eight times less electricity than an older one, he said.

Energy savings are essential to helping Ukrainians get through the first winter since Russia invaded their country.

Government officials said about 40 percent of the energy systems had been damaged, while some of Ukraine's power plants were in occupied territory by Russian forces.

National network operator Ukrenergo said on Monday the energy deficit was "significant", with consumption increasing at the start of weekwork and temperatures dropping below zero. It imposes scheduled power outages across the country.

Matti Maasikas, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine, said the alliance of 27 countries would provide 30 million LED and French lightballs to provide 5 million more lightballs. Maasikas added that the European Union also provides generators and other equipment.

It is known, since October, Russia has admitted to targeting Ukraine's civil energy network far from the front lines, as Ukraine's retaliatory attacks have recaptured territory from Russian invaders in the east and south.

Moscow says its missile strike goal is to weaken Ukraine's ability to fight and encourage it to negotiate.

Kyiv said the attack on infrastructure was a war crime, which was deliberately intended to harm civilians and violate national will.

"We will update everything and get through all this because we arequantable people," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in October.