This winter, Russia will likely intensify attacks on Ukraine’s energy system, says Estonian intelligence
Illustrative photo: Russia likely to intensify attacks on Ukraine’s energy system this winter (Getty Images)
This winter, Russia will likely intensify its strikes on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, aiming to inflict maximum damage on the civilian population. It now has more resources to do so than before, states the head of the Defense Forces Intelligence Center of Estonia, Colonel Ants Kiviselg, according to ERR.
In his assessment, the course of hostilities is unlikely to change significantly in the near term. Russian forces will continue to exert pressure along the entire front line, seeking local tactical gains.
"Overall, Ukraine’s defensive lines are holding, and there are no signs that Russia will achieve a significant breakthrough in the coming weeks," Kiviselg said.
He added that, frustrated by military setbacks, Russian propagandists are calling for strikes on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure in order to inflict maximum harm on the civilian population.
"Despite the public outcry, such a scenario remains highly likely. First, it aligns with the already established seasonal tactic of destroying Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Second, Russia’s capabilities to carry out such operations are growing. This is evidenced by an increase in the number of long-range strike systems being used for deep strikes," the head of the intelligence center said.
He emphasized that asymmetric actions by Russian forces aimed at disrupting the stable operation of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants should be regarded as extremely serious and dangerous.
The goal of these actions is to carry out large-scale sabotage and to divert the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities and international partners who are providing support to Ukraine.
"Addressing the consequences of a major nuclear accident and regional radioactive contamination would require mobilizing all of the country’s internal resources and would lead to the suspension of defensive operations. Furthermore, large-scale international humanitarian assistance would be needed, the delivery of which would be associated with an extremely high security risk due to hostile Russian actions," Kiviselg added.
Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector
As a result of enemy strikes on Ukraine’s energy system on October 1, several regions experienced power supply problems. The most difficult situation was in the Sumy and Chernihiv regions.
Following Russia’s massive attacks on critical infrastructure, Chernihivoblenergo stated that the region’s power system remains in an extremely critical condition. As a result, strict blackout schedules have been in place in the region since October 1.
In addition, today, October 3, after numerous strikes on a power facility in Shostka, Sumy region, the entire city was left without electricity.
Meanwhile, in the Donetsk region, enemy attacks left the entire cities of Druzhkivka and Kostiantynivka without power, as well as certain districts of Kramatorsk.
