12.12.2025
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted a resolution amending Clause 22.5 of the Road Traffic Regulations, partially resolving the issue of fines for weight and dimension control violations regarding specialized machinery engaged in emergency recovery work at critical infrastructure facilities.
CMU Resolution No. 1605, dated December 5, 2025, supplemented Clause 22.5 of the Traffic Rules with a new paragraph. It establishes that for the duration of martial law and for three months following its termination, weight and dimension requirements do not apply to:
vehicles transporting cargo to eliminate the consequences of emergencies at critical infrastructure facilities;
specialized and/or special-purpose vehicles involved in eliminating the consequences of emergencies at critical infrastructure facilities;
Provided that such vehicles move within the territory of the region (oblast) based on a decision by the head of the relevant Regional Military Administration.
At the same time, the movement of such vehicles across artificial structures (bridges, overpasses, etc.) with mass or height exceeding the parameters of traffic sign 3.18 remains prohibited without a special permit.
This Cabinet decision is the result of months of consistent advocacy by the Energy Club in conjunction with Distribution System Operators (DSOs):
In May-July 2025, the Club sent a series of appeals to the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Energy, the NEURC (Regulator), the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Service for Transport Safety (Ukrtransbezpeka), heads of Regional Military Administrations, and the relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada.
The collection of detailed statistics from DSOs regarding fines, delays in emergency repairs, and additional costs was initiated.
Companies from frontline and border regions (including JSC Sumyoblenergo, JSC Cherkasyoblenergo, JSC Kharkivoblenergo, JSC Khmelnytskoblenergo, OJSC Ternopiloblenergo, and JSC Mykolaivoblenergo) provided specific cases demonstrating that the existing procedure effectively forced energy workers to choose between paying fines and restoring power to tens of thousands of consumers.
Based on this evidentiary base, the Energy Club proposed amending Clause 22.5 of the Traffic Rules to equate DSO special equipment with other emergency services regarding the ability to respond rapidly to accidents.
What Changes for Energy Workers
The adopted resolution opens the opportunity for:
Rapid deployment of DSO special equipment (mobile cranes, aerial platforms, auger cranes, manipulators, etc.) to eliminate the consequences of shelling and other emergencies without the risk of automatic fines for weight/size violations.
More flexible response to accidents within the region where the DSO operates, subject to an official decision by the head of the Regional Military Administration.
Reduction of delays for emergency crews (previously 10–15 days due to the need to obtain permits), which was critically incompatible with the realities of war.
“This is an important step showing that systematic, reasoned work yields results. We are grateful to all companies that provided concrete data and to all government representatives who heard the industry,” noted Andrii Kostrytsia, President of the Energy Club. “It is a matter of principle for us that energy workers traveling to restore power after shelling do not end up in the role of ‘violators’ simply due to imperfect regulations. The adopted resolution protects both people and the power grid.”
The Energy Club will continue to defend the interests of energy companies and promote decisions that strengthen Ukraine’s energy security and allow energy workers to do their jobs without unnecessary bureaucratic barriers.
