Air Force reviews three-month battle for Ukraine’s energy sector
This winter, Ukraine’s air defence system endured one of the most challenging tests in its history, repelling 14 massive combined attacks by Russian occupiers.
This was reported by the Ukrainian Air Force.
The enemy aimed to destroy critical infrastructure and cause a total blackout, deploying an unprecedented number of missiles and strike drones.
During December and January, the invaders carried out seven large-scale attacks, but by February the intensity of strikes had doubled. The Air Force, in coordination with other units of Ukraine’s Defence Forces, was forced to operate under constant system overload and resource exhaustion.
The chronology of the confrontation demonstrates a systematic escalation of enemy air terror.
On 6 December 2025, one of the most powerful strikes of the war was recorded — 704 aerial targets were attacked simultaneously, including 51 missiles.
January 2026 marked a period of intensive use of ballistic weapons, particularly targeting Kyiv and Lviv regions. The occupiers began regularly deploying advanced hypersonic Zircon missiles, attempting to breach Ukraine’s air defence shield in key regions.
February became the month of peak pressure: on 3 February, the enemy launched a record number of missiles in a single strike for this winter — 71 units. By the end of the month, on 26 February, the aggressor carried out a massive drone attack, sending 420 UAVs simultaneously towards Ukrainian cities.
In total, over the three winter months, the enemy fired more than 700 missiles of various types, including Kinzhal, Iskander, and S-300/S-400 system missiles.
Despite this pressure, Ukraine’s skies held, and the energy system retained its integrity thanks to the professionalism of the defenders.
The success of the defence was made possible by the coordinated work of anti-aircraft missile troops, aviation, and mobile fire groups. Each intercepted target confirms that the Ukrainian military is becoming increasingly technologically advanced and experienced in countering modern threats.
The Air Force also expressed gratitude to energy workers and repair crews, who restored power to Ukrainian homes under constant bombardment. This synergy between military and civilian specialists allowed the country to survive the winter without catastrophic consequences for industry and households.
It is recalled that this has been the toughest winter in Ukraine’s history, offering important lessons for the future.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine faced the harshest winter in decades.
