SEK 211 MILLION FOR UKRAINE: SWEDEN DELIVERS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST ENERGY AID CAMPAIGNS

The winter of 2026 was one of the harshest in modern Ukrainian history. Following repeated Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, millions of people across Ukraine were left without electricity and heating in freezing temperatures.

This critical situation triggered a powerful wave of international solidarity, with governments, individuals, and businesses worldwide mobilising to support Ukraine. A key contribution came from the Swedish government, which allocated SEK 1 billion in emergency assistance to support Ukraine’s energy system. Several major initiatives were also realized to help Ukraine endure the winter.

Thus, the Embassy of Ukraine launched the national Keep Ukraine Warm campaign. The campaign was implemented in collaboration with Beredskapslyftet, Prime Weber Shandwick, 4.5.0., and Energiföretagen Sverige. Efforts were closely coordinated with government agencies and recipients in Ukraine to ensure that the most urgent needs were addressed effectively.

Through the campaign, Swedish and international companies provided substantial in-kind support. Contributions included more than 100 generators and generating sets of various capacities, 10 steam boilers, over 70 transformers, 612 mobile battery units, three mobile power plants, and portable energy solutions such as EcoFlow systems, as well as additional equipment including air screw compressors and supporting tools.

This equipment has been distributed across Ukraine to critical healthcare and social infrastructure, including national and regional children’s hospitals, specialised medical centres, and maternal and child care institutions, as well as key energy sector operators. Support has also reached schools, kindergartens, and hospitals in heavily affected regions such as Kyiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv.

The real impact of this support is visible in places like the National Children’s Specialized Hospital Okhmatdyt in Kyiv:

“This support is vital for our hospital. Every day, hundreds of children from across Ukraine receive treatment here – premature newborns, children with severe injuries, cancer, and other complex conditions. Many depend on life-saving equipment that cannot stop even for a minute. Each charging station provides additional safety for our young patients and gives doctors confidence that treatment will continue under any circumstances,” said a hospital representative.

Recently, the Tetra Laval Group also announced an additional donation of power generators and related equipment to the value of EUR 10 million as humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine. This builds on the EUR 40 million in aid the company has already provided during the past four years of the war.

An essential part of Sweden’s efforts to mobilise financial support was the Ge Ukraina Värme public fundraising, organised by Radiohjälpen and Sweden’s public service broadcaster Sveriges Television. The appeal immediately set a national record, raising EUR 400,000 within the first five minutes. In total, SEK 23 million (EUR 2.1 million) was collected and directed to heavily affected regions, including Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Dnipro, and Kyiv.

These funds supported heated learning spaces for children, generators for hospitals and district heating systems, fuel and portable power solutions near the front line, assistance for families with children with disabilities, as well as field kitchens and heating points in the capital region.

The Embassy of Ukraine in Sweden expresses its sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the campaign efforts. Partners who made this initiative possible include Radiohjälpen, Prime Weber Shandwick, 4.5.0, Energiföretagen, Beredskapslyftet, Dagens Industri, BOÖTES Group AB, SINFRA, B-Reel Production, OperationChange, Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MCF), and the campaign’s photographer, Fredrik Persson.

Financial and in-kind support was generously provided by Arvika Kraft AB, Atlas Copco Power Technique Nordic, Boden Energi, E.ON, Kvänum Energi, Ljungby Energi, Siemens Energy, Svenska Kraftprodukter, the Tetra Laval Group, Tibro Energi, and Volvo Defense AB – Volvo Trucks.

The Embassy also extends its sincere appreciation to additional contributors and donors who chose to remain private. Their support is invaluable in these challenging times.

“Ukraine continues to endure enormous hardship as Russia targets critical civilian infrastructure. We are deeply grateful for the solidarity shown in Sweden and for the concrete support that is already helping people on the ground. All this has helped us survive the hardest winter in modern Ukraine’s history,” said Svitlana Zalishchuk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Sweden.

As Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine, the coming winter may be even more difficult. The Embassy will continue its fundraising efforts to restore Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter and urges partners to maintain and expand their support.