Charred Transformer in Kyiv Square Becomes Unique Ukraine War Exhibit

In Kyiv, Ukraine, a distorted relic of the ongoing conflict stands prominently in the city’s center: a charred transformer, once part of a power plant heavily damaged by Russian bombardments. This imposing symbol starkly represents the extensive destruction inflicted upon Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

The blackened, hulking object is displayed at Kontraktova Square—a location historically tied to commerce—where it contrasts sharply with the nearby Ferris wheel, a nod to the serenity of peacetime amidst the ongoing reality of war.

This poignant exhibition, organized by DTEK, a private energy firm, along with a non-governmental organization and Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy, opened its doors to the public on Thursday. Its goal is to evoke a sense of “pain and despair” experienced by energy workers as they grapple with the consequences of these relentless attacks.

The organizers acknowledge that the somber presentation may cast a dark mood, but assert that their purpose is not to discourage spectators. Instead, they aim to raise awareness regarding the substantial efforts required to restore electricity to homes after each attack.

Open to the public for the next two months, the exhibit will be a lasting reminder as Ukraine approaches another challenging winter amidst the warfare. The government has cautioned citizens to prepare for severe conditions, as Russian airstrikes increasingly target the country’s already-stressed energy systems.

The relentless attacks have left Ukraine’s energy sector in a precarious state, causing an overreliance on the few functioning nuclear power plants and electricity imported from European Union countries. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko reported that more than 1,000 assaults have been directed at the power grid.

“Every region and type of energy infrastructure has been impacted by these strikes,” he stated.

As a result of the ongoing conflict, Ukrainians are facing frequent nationwide blackouts, often enduring long periods without power. These energy shortages contribute to growing war fatigue, coupled with the pervasive uncertainty regarding the war’s end.

Dmytro Tiuzin, a 37-year-old IT professional residing near Kontraktova Square, expressed concern after visiting the transformer installation. “I worry about this destruction. I work remotely and am heavily reliant on electricity and internet connectivity,” he remarked.

According to a United Nations report released Thursday, between March and August, Russia executed nine coordinated attacks on Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure, resulting in the loss of approximately 9 gigawatts of power generation capacity. This figure represents about half of the country’s energy requirements during winter months.

Danielle Bell, the head of the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission, emphasized the challenges that lie ahead: “This winter will be particularly difficult, with many likely facing scheduled blackouts. Additional attacks, leading to prolonged outages, could have dire repercussions.”

Rehabilitating the damage incurred could span several years. An assessment published in May by the Kyiv School of Economics estimated that reviving the energy sector would necessitate around $50 billion.

Katya Taylor, from the Port of Culture NGO, which curated the exhibition, clarified that the intention is not to instill despair. “This initiative is about gratitude towards those dedicated individuals working tirelessly for us,” she explained.

A power plant worker named Serhii, who has devoted 32 years to the facility that supplied the transformer, reflected on the tragedy surrounding the exhibit. Due to security regulations, he was unable to share his last name or the name of the plant.