Russia prepares major strikes on Kyiv's energy infrastructure — ISW
Photo: The Kremlin leader won't stop until he can continue to launch ballistic missiles at Kyiv with impunity (Getty Images)
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin will not sit down at the negotiating table as long as he can strike Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with ballistic missiles with impunity, and he will intensify attacks on the energy sector, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Why Putin doesn't want peace
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) note that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not agree to any negotiations as long as Russia can launch ballistic missile strikes against Kyiv and other cities with impunity.
The reason is a severe shortage of missiles for the Patriot systems. These anti-aircraft missile systems are the only means capable of shooting down Russian ballistic missiles.
Interceptor missiles shortage leaves skies defenseless
The ISW emphasizes the catastrophic consequences of the shortage of interceptor missiles as winter approaches. The lack of ammunition leaves Ukrainian skies defenseless against attacks.
Taking advantage of this vulnerability, the Kremlin has deliberately reoriented its defense production toward ballistic missile production.
"Russia's reprioritization of production efforts toward ballistic missiles will support Russian efforts to use the upcoming winter to break Ukraine's will to fight. The Kremlin believes that it can exploit Ukraine’s shortage of interceptor missiles to avoid having to enter meaningful negotiations or make concessions on its maximalist demands," the report states.
Putin's theory of victory
The ISW emphasizes that the impunity of ballistic missile attacks has finally convinced the Russian dictator of the effectiveness of his theory of victory.
It is based on the assumption that Russia could win a war of attrition if Russian troops maintain constant pressure on the front lines. At the same time, missiles strike Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. In this way, the Kremlin hopes to exhaust Ukraine’s resources and the West's patience.
"The Kremlin is reportedly planning to launch a large-scale strike campaign against energy infrastructure in Kyiv City over the coming weeks with the aim of disrupting Ukrainian efforts to strengthen the energy facilities and to take advantage of Ukraine’s ongoing shortages of ballistic missile interceptors," the statement reads.
Meanwhile, last night, air defenses shot down 98 Russian drones during a massive attack by Russia.
Russia launched Zircon anti-ship missiles, Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, and various types of drones at Ukraine, with the main strike targeting the Kyiv region and Zaporizhzhia.
British Ambassador to Ukraine Neil Crompton called on Kyiv to exercise strategic patience in order to wait for the right moment and persuade Russia to resume peace talks.
According to him, the Ukrainian defense industry demonstrates a qualitative advantage over the enemy.
