Russia Is Preparing Large-Scale Attacks on Ukraine's Energy Sector This Winter — NYT

Russia may be preparing a large-scale campaign of strikes against Ukraine’s energy and water facilities this winter. According to The New York Times, Moscow plans to use up to 1,000 missiles, drones, and aerial bombs in the attacks.

The goal of such strikes, as noted in the article, may be to cause widespread disruptions to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and trigger a humanitarian crisis in the country.

According to the publication, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, during a meeting in Paris, showed European partners a plan intercepted from Russia that calls for “forcing Ukrainians into submission through the cold.” 

“Shmyhal described this document as an intercepted Russian plan aimed at causing the collapse of the energy system through systematic attacks. The plan describes a campaign of strikes involving up to 1,000 missiles, drones, and bombs. They will target a wide range of facilities, including electrical substations, hydroelectric and thermal power plants, as well as boiler rooms,” the publication writes. 

It is noted that the greatest concern stems from the fact that, according to the document, Russia intends to force Ukraine’s three operating nuclear power plants—the backbone of its energy infrastructure—to shut down by firing missiles at the electrical distribution substations that connect them to the power grid. These substations are located less than a kilometer from the reactors.

The plan also states that Moscow will target Ukraine’s water supply system—including pumping stations and water treatment plants—with dozens of ballistic missiles and guided bombs. 

"Russia has never before carried out large-scale strikes against such facilities. Ukrainian officials have privately expressed concern that the country has limited contingency plans in case of serious disruptions to the water supply. The ultimate goal is to cut off major Ukrainian cities from electricity, heating, and water supplies, which could trigger a humanitarian crisis. Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa have been identified as the main targets: the plan is to cut electricity supply in these cities by 90%, reduce heat supply by up to 90%, and severely disrupt the sewer system,” the publication adds. 

This is reported by The New York Times.

The main target of the Russian attack was the energy infrastructure of Kyiv and the surrounding region; there have been fatalities, according to Zelenskyy.

No damage to energy infrastructure was reported in Kyiv following the Russian attack.

In the Shevchenkivskyi district of the capital, debris was found on the grounds of one of the western embassies. The discovery was made in downtown Kyiv following the nighttime attack.

On the night of September 30, Russian troops attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones. The strikes caused fires in four districts of the capital, and two women were killed.

Starting in the evening of September 29, Russian forces attacked three districts of the Dnipropetrovsk region with drones. The strikes damaged infrastructure and caused fires.

On the morning of September 30, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with drones. During the air raid alert, explosions were heard in Rivne and later in Lutsk.