Russia's energy strikes aim at society's weakest, Ukraine's intel chief says
Photo: Defense Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia is trying to achieve a total power outage in Ukraine to increase social tension within the country, says Defense Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov in an interview with Il Foglio.
“It is no secret that the Russians want to cause a total power outage in Ukraine. For this reason, in their view, these attacks affect the socially vulnerable segments of the Ukrainian population,” he said.
He emphasized that the Russians are primarily counting on the vulnerability of citizens with low incomes. People with middle and high incomes have access to all types of devices necessary to cope with power outages, including inverters and batteries. Some even have private generators with which they can heat and light their homes.
“Military and government structures have long been equipped with generators as well, but the people affected by Russian attacks belong to socially vulnerable groups with lower incomes,” he noted.
He stressed that the Kremlin’s goal is precisely social pressure on Ukraine.
“The Russian leadership wants to achieve a complete power outage because they believe this will create social discontent within the country,” Budanov concluded.
Situation in Ukraine's energy sector
Electricity consumption in Ukraine remains high due to the difficult situation caused by Russian strikes and cold weather.
The head of Ukrenergo, Vitalii Zaichenko, said that the Russians have changed tactics and moved to a scorched earth strategy after large-scale Russian attacks failed to disable the Ukrainian energy system.
Last night, the Russian army struck Kyiv again, with the main target being the capital's infrastructure.
