Poland has dispatched more than 400 generators of various types to Kyiv and surrounding communities, Piotr Lukasiewicz, Poland's chargé d'affaires in Ukraine, announced on social media on 22 January. The generators come from Polish state reserves and are already en route.
The shipment arrives as Kyiv endures its most severe energy emergency since Russia's full-scale invasion began. Russian strikes on 9, 13, and 20 January 2026 damaged critical substations and thermal power plants, breaking the capital's energy ring and forcing officials to drain heating systems from 6,000 buildings during temperatures as low as -15°C.
"Dear residents of Kyiv and the communities around Kyiv! More than 400 generators of various types from Poland's state reserves are on their way to keep you warm," Lukasiewicz wrote.
Polish citizens mobilize alongside government
The government shipment comes as ordinary Poles rally to support Ukraine.
In just six days, 42,609 donors raised nearly PLN 5.32 million (approximately $1.3 million) through the "Warmth from Poland for Kyiv" campaign organized by the Stand with Ukraine foundation, according to Liga.net.
Corporate donors have joined the effort. Polenergia and the Kulczyk Foundation contributed PLN 500,000 (approximately $139,000) for 120 electric generators. Dominika Kulczyk, Poland's richest woman, called on the entire energy sector to participate.
The fundraising total has already exceeded initial expectations—organizers doubled their goal after reaching one million zlotys in the first three days.
The fundraising total has already exceeded initial expectations—organizers doubled their goal after reaching one million zlotys in the first three days.
Energy workers race to restore heat
Kyiv is slowly recovering. On 21 January, energy workers reconnected all critical infrastructure facilities, and officials announced heating would be restored to more than 3,000 homes over the following two days. Two additional cogeneration plants from Germany are expected to arrive next week, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said Kyiv will soon transition from emergency power outage schedules to "strict but predictable" ones.
The situation extends beyond the capital.
Russia has targeted energy infrastructure across Ukraine, prompting 17 countries to provide energy equipment as of 19 January.
Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers allocated 2.56 billion hryvnias (approximately $59 million) from the state budget reserve fund on 21 January to purchase high-power generators for community needs.
Poland's continued energy support for Ukraine
Poland has been a consistent source of energy assistance throughout the war. In July 2023, Poland sent 508 Tesla Powerwall batteries to power hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure. Poland delivered Starlink terminals in December 2022 to support Ukraine's medical and energy sectors during blackouts.
When Slovakia threatened to cut electricity supplies in late 2024, Poland signaled readiness to increase power exports to Ukraine. The Polish government prepared to boost domestic generation specifically to stabilize Ukraine's strained electrical system.
