Energy Security of Ukraine: Environmental and Military Threats

This paper discusses the role of energy security in national security. It is posited that the latter
should be positioned much more broadly than economic security, because currently in the Russian-
Ukrainian war, the aggressor state has chosen the energy infrastructure as the purpose of conducting an
armed struggle, which violates the norms of international humanitarian law regarding harm to the
civilian population. With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the aggressor country into Ukraine,
the problem of national security for Ukraine acquires special importance, as it concerns the well-being
and real provision of the right to life of millions of citizens of our country. Energy security is a key factor
in the vital activity of the state, because any obstacles in the functioning of the energy complex have an
extremely painful effect on the entire economy and social sphere.
The authors indicate that global energy problems include uneven distribution of geological reserves
of the main types of fuel resources, especially scarce natural gas, increased financial instability of the
economy in recent decades, increased interstate hostilities, and climate disasters. It is stated that the transition from an analog to a digital approach in the legal regulation of the
states energy system continues, digital technologies will make energy systems more connected, intelligent,
efficient, reliable and sustainable in the coming decades. Having generally positively assessed the legal
means of solving the problem of energy security, the article notes that the digitalization of the energy
system in the EU opens up new opportunities for ensuring a stable and competitive market, but it also
carries significant threats. First, reliance on digital technologies can increase vulnerability to cyber
threats, putting the security of energy 0systems at risk. Secondly, the risk of a digital divide between EU
member states may lead to uneven development and access to new technologies. Finally, the growth of
data volume raises the issue of privacy and protection of personal information, which requires a clear
regulatory framework.